UCD failed to keep themselves in the top spot last week and will look to get back to winning ways against a Bray Wanderers side coming to the bowl off of their biggest win of the season.
UCD suffered their first loss since the end of March against Cork City last week. Despite dominating possession and having more shots, they found themselves three goals behind thanks to a Hans Mpongo hat-trick, with Raggett scoring late to soften the blow to a 3-1 loss. William O’Connor’s side will look to apply pressure back onto Cork City with a return home against the Seagulls.
Bray has had a turbulent season so far, with the club not seeing a league win since late March. However, last week saw Bray put five past Cobh Ramblers in what has to be seen as Bray’s best performance this season. A Ben McCormack hat-trick in the first half rendered the game all but over. Paul Heffernan hopes that this is the result that will turn their season around. They will travel to second-placed UCD to put a stake in their new found form.
Match Information
Kick-off: 7:45, Friday 15th of May
Where to Watch: LOI TV
Betting Odds: UCD @ 6/5, Draw @ 23/10, Bray @ 7/4
Team News
Both sides look to have a clean bill of health, will all players being available for the Leinster sides.
Key Statistics
Bray has only kept one clean sheet this season. They have scored 22 goals in their 15 league games. They average the most crosses in the league with 5.5. They average 5 corners per game. Bray defeated UCD earlier in the season 2-1 at the Carlisle Grounds, with Ben McCormack scoring the opener.
UCD have kept seven clean sheets this season. They dominate possession averaging 60% possession. They also average 5 corners per game. They have scored 23 goals so far this season, one more than Bray.
Key Players
19-year-old Hugh Smith hasn’t found the back of the net since scoring a brace against Treaty at the end of April. He was substituted by eventual goal scorer Mikey Raggett against Cork City last week. However, he has a good record against Bray, scoring against them in the last two meetings between the sides. UCD’s tied top goalscorer will look to get back into goal-scoring form as they start their title push again.
For Bray, Ben McCormack has been a standout for the Seagulls so far this season, with his hat-trick last week, making him my player to watch. His lobbed goal over Cobh keeper Timothy Martin was one of the most watched moments of the League of Ireland weekend. Ben has registered 5 goals and 2 assists from midfield and has put in some top-notch performances to boot. He’s started every game for Bray this season and will be expected to keep delivering.
Previous Meetings
13/03/26 – Bray 2-1 UCD
28/10/25 – Bray 3-2 UCD
24/10/25 – UCD 0-1 Bray
29/08/25 – UCD 3-2 Bray