** NO BYLINE **
Danske Bank Premiership
(All games today, 3pm)
Cliftonville v Institute
PADDY McLaughlin goes head-to-head with his old club this afternoon, and Institute will be hoping they can give him a migraine.
Both sides are in the hunt for a European play-off spot and both have decent recent records, although Institute did beat the Reds 6-4 in a crazy game pre-Christmas.
Verdict: Cliftonville
Odds: 4/9; D: 3/1; A: 5/1
Coleraine v Ballymena United
THIS is a must-win game for Ballymena if they are to keep the pressure on Linfield at the top of the table, but their Bannside rivals won’t make it easy for them at the Showgrounds.
Coleraine made it into the last four of the Irish Cup last weekend with a 5-3 away win at Larne, while Ballymena were comfortably disposed of by Crusaders in their quarter-final, so the mood in the two camps may differ somewhat.
Verdict: Coleraine
Odds: H: 9/5; D: 12/5; A: 6/5
Dungannon Swifts v Newry City
THE battle at the bottom has long been reduced to who will drop down automatically and who will face a relegation play-off.
Bottom club Newry – separated from Ards on goal difference – have their latest chance to make it into 11th position in time for the play-off today.
Dungannon may be somewhat demoralised after their Irish Cup exit on penalties last weekend, but Newry have lost four of their last five in the league.
Verdict: Dungannon
Odds: H: 5/6; D: 5/2; A: 13/5
Glentoran v Ards
WHILE Glentoran are still chasing a European play-off spot, Ards are guarding that relegation play-off place against the jealous glances of Newry.
The appointment of Warren Feeney as manager gave Ards an immediate boost in their win last time out over their relegation rivals, while Glentoran defeated Warrenpoint.
Verdict: Ards
Odds: H: 4/7; D: 11/4; A: 4/1
Warrenpoint v Crusaders
CRUSADERS retain ambitions of gazumping Ballymena in second spot in the league table, while their Irish Cup victory over David Jeffrey’s men last weekend kept their hopes of silverware alive.
Warrenpoint are in dismal form, losing their last four league games on the trot, but they did make into the Irish Cup last four last weekend thanks to a 3-1 win over Larne Technical Old Boys.
Verdict: Crusaders
Odds: H: 6/1; D: 3/1; A: 2/5
