Larne (1) v Cliftonville (2)
Three teams have occupied top spot in the Danske Bank Premiership over the last 10 days and two of them meet at Inver Park on Saturday afternoon with the current table-toppers Larne hoping to open up some daylight between themselves and the second-placed Reds.
The home side have not conceded a goal in the league since their January 2 defeat to Cliftonville at Solitude. That is six consecutive clean sheets for Larne keeper Rohan Ferguson, but they will face one of the league’s most in-form attacks.
Ronan Hale has scored five goals in his last five league games, with brother Rory, Joe Gormley and teenage sensation Sean Moore also regularly finding the net.
Larne bring considerable firepower with Lee Bonis and Paul O’Neill enjoying a fruitfull partnership and Leroy Millar chipping in with vital goals.
There’s little to separate these sides and a high-scoring draw could be on the cards.
Odds: H: 8/11 D: 12/5 A: 10/3
Verdict: Draw
Linfield (3) v Carrick Rangers (8)
With the top two playing each other, third-placed Linfield will hope to make up some ground when they host Carrick Rangers. The reigning champions are four points behind the Larne and Cliftonville who are each on 59 points.
The Blues’ title chances took a hit, however, on Tuesday night when they were on defeated 3-0 by fierce rivals Glentoran having defeated Cliftonville the previous Saturday.
Carrick have won their last two leaue games and were winners over Linfield in their first league encounter at the Loughview Leisure Arena in August.
A repeat occurrence at Windsor Park on Saturday may be a tall order to Stuart King’s men although the form of Emmet McGuckin suggest the former Derry GAA star can cause the home defence some problems.
Odds: H: 2/11 D: 9/2 A: 12/1
Verdict: Linfield
Portadown (12) v Glenavon (9)
Portadown sit 11 points adrift of 11th placed Dungannon Swifts at the foot of the table with the mini-bounce they enjoyed following the appointment of Niall Currie having faded.
They’ll need little motivation for Saturday’s Mid Ulster derby against a Glenavon side who must be wondering how they didn’t come away with all three points from Tuesday night’s match against Crusaders.
Goals from Matt Fitzpatrick and Jamie Doran had put them into a 2-1 but Philip Lowry’s injury time strike ensured a share of the spoils.
Fitzpatrick has been in fine form for the Lurgan Blues and their better cutting edge should ensure more misery for their derby rivals.
Verdict: Glenavon
Odds: H: 10/3 D: 14/5 A: 7/10
