After another eventful weekend, the Premiership is back under the lights on Tuesday night with a full round of fixtures.
There are huge games at both ends of the table, with Coleraine travelling to Glentoran, Linfield looking to continue their winning run and several sides hoping to build momentum.
Ballymena United vs Carrick Rangers
Ballymena will be looking to respond after a frustrating derby defeat to Coleraine on Friday night. They showed plenty of character to come from two goals down and level the game, only to concede again almost immediately.
Carrick, meanwhile, were beaten 3-1 by Cliftonville at Taylors Avenue and will have to respond without some key players. Despite their recent setbacks, Stephen Baxter’s side have already shown this season that they can compete with anyone.
This feels like an important game for both sides. Ballymena need to start turning performances into points, while Carrick will want to avoid allowing their promising start to lose momentum.
Crusaders vs Dungannon Swifts
Two sides looking to bounce back.
Crusaders followed their heavy defeat to Coleraine with another disappointing result against Limavady, losing 2-1 at Seaview. They have undoubtedly made progress from last season, but need to find some consistency.
Dungannon were unfortunate to lose to Linfield on Saturday. Rodney McAree’s side created some excellent chances and were arguably the better team for periods, only to be beaten by Kyle McClean’s late moment of quality.
Both sides will see this as an opportunity to get their season moving again, and it should be a fascinating contest at Seaview.
Glentoran vs Coleraine
The standout fixture of the night.
Glentoran host the league leaders knowing they desperately need a result. Saturday’s draw with Bangor was met with boos from the home supporters, and defeat here would leave the Glens potentially 12 points behind Coleraine after just seven games.
Coleraine, meanwhile, continue to find ways to win. They were tested by Ballymena on Friday but showed the character to respond and claim another three points.
This is a massive test of Coleraine’s title credentials – but perhaps an even bigger night for Declan Devine and Glentoran. A result could completely change the mood around the Oval. Another defeat could make things even more difficult.
Larne vs Cliftonville
A really interesting game between two sides beginning to build momentum.
Larne have quietly put together a strong run since returning to league action. Wins over Glentoran, Bangor and Portadown have helped the champions get themselves back into the picture, and Saturday’s victory was particularly impressive given they played more than an hour with ten men.
Cliftonville have also responded well after their defeat to Dungannon, winning back-to-back games against Portadown and Carrick. Jim Magilton’s young side are now third in the table and will travel to Inver Park with confidence.
This could be one of the games of the night.
Limavady United vs Bangor
Limavady finally got their season up and running with a huge 2-1 win away to Crusaders.
They had shown promising signs in previous games without picking up the results, but Paul Owens will hope Saturday’s victory can now provide a platform. With players continuing to settle into a new squad, the Roesiders will want to build some momentum.
Bangor have also been improving. They followed their comeback against Ballymena with a credible performance against Larne before earning a point away to Glentoran.
Both sides will see this as a very winnable game – which makes it one of the more intriguing fixtures of the night.
Portadown vs Linfield
It doesn’t get much easier for Portadown.
Six league games, six defeats and still without a point, David Jeffrey’s side welcome a Linfield team who have now won five league games in a row.
The Ports will take encouragement from the fact Larne were reduced to ten men early on Saturday, but they were unable to make the numerical advantage count. That perhaps sums up their start to the campaign – there have been opportunities, but they simply haven’t taken them.
Linfield, on the other hand, are flying. The Blues had to be patient at Dungannon before Kyle McClean produced a moment of brilliance to win the game, and that ability to find a result when not at their best is a major positive.
On paper, Linfield will be heavy favourites. Portadown desperately need something – but they face one of the division’s form teams.
