Sport

DANSKEBANKPREMIERSHIP

Compiled by Brendan Crossan

(All games today, 3pm)

Ballinamallard United v Crusaders

DID that 4-1 home defeat to Glenavon really happen? It's one of the few black marks on Crusaders' season to date. They are the highest scorers in the Premiership with Diarmuid O'Carroll and Jordan Owens in flying form.

This is a particularly difficult period for Whitey Anderson's 'Mallards, with the Ferney Park men falling to title challengers Portadown and defending champions Cliftonville over the last couple of weeks. Their problems in front of goal and the brilliant form their visitors are in suggest an away win.

Odds: H: 10/3 D:11/4 A:4/6 Prediction: Crusaders

Ballymena United v Coleraine

IT'S astonishing Coleraine boss Oran Kearney was given the dreaded vote of confidence earlier in the season.

The former Linfield player has had to cut his cloth this season but the Bannsiders have won five out of their last six league outings. The Braidmen are on a six-match winless run, suffering heavy defeats in their last two outings. But this is a derby and a share of the spoils looks the most likely outcome.

Odds: H:7/5 D:23/10 A:13/8 Prediction: Draw

Glentoran v Glenavon

THE Glens have finally quit the habit of drawing matches and are in fine goalscoring form of late.

Four against Ballymena - which erased the bitter defeat to Bangor in the Co Antrim Shield - and five against Warrenpoint suggests Eddie Patterson's men are on the right road for a top-four finish. Glenavon's chances are hampered today by the absence of Kevin Braniff (suspended).

Odds: H:19/20 D:13/5 A:9/4 Prediction: Glentoran

Linfield v Dungannon Swifts

THE Blues will be heartened by their gutsy away win at Glenavon last week that brought the curtain down on a terrible run of form for new boss Warren Feeney. The Swifts are struggling badly in front of goal. It looks a daunting prospect for Swifts boss and former Linfield favourite Darren Murphy.

Odds: H:1/4 D:4/1 A:9/1 Prediction: Linfield

Portadown v Institute

DESPITE their shock slip-up to Coleraine a couple of weeks ago the Ports are still only three points off the top of the table. Boss Ronnie McFall has more depth to his panel this year and they'll be hoping they can stay the distance.

They should take care of business at home to Paul Kee's Institute side who have won just one in their last seven.

Odds: H:4/11 D:10/3 A:13/2 Prediction: Portadown

P W D L F A Pts

Cliftonville 16 9 6 1 32 17 33 Crusaders 15 8 4 3 34 23 28 Portadown 15 8 3 4 27 15 27 Linfield 15 8 3 4 23 20 27 Glenavon 15 8 2 5 31 23 26 Glentoran 15 6 5 4 26 18 23 Coleraine 15 7 2 6 21 20 23 Ballymena 15 5 4 6 25 30 19 Institute 15 4 4 7 19 30 16 Ballinamallard Utd 15 3 3 9 16 28 12 Dungannon Swifts 15 1 6 8 12 23 9 Warrenpoint Town 16 2 2 12 14 33 8