Matchweek three of the Premiership is upon us, and there are already plenty of storylines beginning to develop.
With five fixtures across Friday and Saturday, Larne’s European commitments mean their meeting with Limavady United has been postponed. That leaves another busy weekend, with Linfield and Cliftonville meeting at Windsor Park, two unbeaten records on the line at Carrick and plenty at stake elsewhere.
Ballymena United vs Glentoran (Friday)
Two sides looking for a response meet at the Ballymena Showgrounds, with this one being shown live on BBC iPlayer.
Ballymena will be playing at home for the first time this season and will be keen to put last week’s 2-1 defeat to Crusaders behind them. After their stunning 3-0 win at Linfield on the opening weekend, expectations have already risen around Oran Kearney’s side, and they will want to show that result was no one-off.
Glentoran, meanwhile, need a reaction. Their 2-1 defeat to Linfield was particularly disappointing given the lack of attacking threat shown in the Big Two derby. Declan Devine will expect much more from his side here.
With both clubs looking to bounce back, this could be an entertaining start to the weekend.
Linfield vs Cliftonville (Friday)
Two clubs arrive at Windsor Park with plenty of confidence after comprehensive victories last weekend.
Linfield produced their best performance of the season so far to beat Glentoran 2-1, although David Healy’s post-match comments once again ensured the spotlight remained on the club’s wider situation.
On the pitch, however, there were plenty of positives. If the Blues can reproduce that level of performance, they will have a strong chance of making it back-to-back wins.
Cliftonville will have other ideas. Jim Magilton’s side have taken maximum points from their opening two matches and arrive with genuine belief after impressive wins over Crusaders and Bangor. They will need plenty of it, though – Windsor Park is never an easy place to visit.
Six points from six has given the Reds the perfect start. Can they make it nine?
Carrick Rangers vs Coleraine
One of the most intriguing games of the weekend takes place at Taylors Avenue.
Carrick are the only other side alongside Cliftonville with a 100% record, having beaten Portadown and Limavady in their opening two fixtures. Stephen Baxter’s experienced side have already shown plenty of resilience and will be hoping to make home advantage count once again.
Coleraine are unbeaten themselves and arrive with serious title ambitions. After a 3-1 win at Dungannon before a goalless draw with Larne, Ruadhrí Higgins’ side will want to keep their momentum going.
For the Bannsiders, these are the types of fixtures they need to win if they are to challenge for the title. Carrick, however, will not make it easy.
This could be a very close contest.
Dungannon Swifts vs Bangor
Dungannon picked up their first points of the season with a 1-0 win at Portadown last weekend and will now look to build on it.
Rodney McAree’s side have established themselves as a consistent top-half team in recent seasons after previously being associated with relegation battles. With another strong squad assembled, they will see this as an opportunity to continue that progress.
Anything less than three points would likely feel disappointing for the Swifts.
Bangor, meanwhile, will have been frustrated by the manner of their 3-0 defeat to Cliftonville. There was no shame in losing to a strong Reds side, but Lee Feeney will have been disappointed that his team failed to make their chances count.
Ben Arthurs was quiet last week but, after scoring 11 times last season, it surely won’t be long before the striker gets off the mark.
Crusaders vs Portadown
A 6pm kick-off at Seaview, with the game being shown live on NIFL TV.
Crusaders will have been delighted to get their first three points of the campaign last weekend, coming from behind to beat Ballymena 2-1. It was not necessarily pretty, but Declan Caddell will care little – three points was exactly what his side needed.
After last season’s relegation battle, building momentum will be crucial.
Portadown are still searching for their first point under David Jeffrey after successive 1-0 defeats. The scorelines suggest the Ports have been competitive in both games, but they have lacked the cutting edge required to turn performances into points.
That will take time with a squad still settling, but Jeffrey will hope Saturday is the afternoon they finally get something on the board.
