Danske Bank Premiership
(All games today, 3pm)
Ballymena United v Crusaders
BOTH side had comfortable assignments mid-week in the League Cup, Ballymena hammering Dollingstown 6-0 and Crusaders putting four past Limavady United.
Ballymena’s patchy form has seen them fall away from the leading pack in recent weeks, while a Rory Hales screamer gave Crusaders a narrow victory over Linfield.
With Ballymena drawing away to Institute last Saturday, the Crues will fancy themselves to get maximum points this afternoon.
Odds: H: 5/2; D: 12/5; A: 10/11
Verdict: Crusaders
Cliftonville v Larne
PREVIEW ABOVE.
Odds: H: 6/5; D: 12/5; A: 9/5
Verdict: Cliftonville
Coleraine v Warrenpoint Town
WHILE last weekend’s thrilling win over Dungannon Swifts gave Warrenpoint their first points of the season, a trip to Coleraine is a different proposition entirely.
Oran Kearney’s men eased to a 4-1 win at Carrick Rangers last Saturday to keep themselves second in the table and they followed that up with a League Cup victory over Glentoran.
While the Coleraine win over Carrick kept Warenpoint in touching distance of safety, they would do well to inch closer to it this afternoon.
Odds: H: 2/9; D: 9/2; A: 9/1
Verdict: Coleraine
Dungannon Swifts v Linfield
THANKS to last Friday night’s defeat to Crusdaers, Linfield can no longer catch the Shore Road men at the top of the table via their games in hand alone.
Fail to win this afternoon and that tranche of matches to make up will start to seem less an opportunity and more like a burden.
However, the Blues travelled here in mid-week and came away with a 4-0 League Cup victory. A few may fancy a similar result today.
Odds: H: 5/1; D: 10/3; A: 2/5
Verdict: Linfield
Glentoran v Carrick Rangers
THE Glens aren’t having the best of runs at present, losing their last two outings in the league and exiting the League Cup at the hands of Coleraine during the week.
As for Carrick, their form is positively rotten, losing three on the bounce since their win on the road at bottom of the table Warrenpoint in mid-September.
Carrick won’t be in the relegation zone by this evening, but it may only be by virtue of the fact that Institute have the weekend off.
Odds: H: 1/2; D: 3/1; A: 9/2
Verdict: Glentoran
