Another huge weekend of Premiership action is ahead, with an A26 derby kicking things off on Friday night before ten more sides take to the pitch on Saturday.
Coleraine vs Ballymena United (Friday)
An A26 derby gets the Premiership weekend underway on Friday night.
Coleraine have made a magnificent start to the season and will be looking to keep that momentum going. The Bannsiders are one of the most exciting sides in the division at the moment, playing with confidence and finding goals from a number of different areas.
Ballymena, meanwhile, have struggled to build on their opening-day victory over Linfield, taking just one point from their last three league games. There would be no better time to turn that around than in a derby, though. They have a strong squad and will be determined to show that they are capable of competing with the league leaders.
Carrick Rangers vs Cliftonville
This looks like one of the most evenly matched games of the weekend, with both sides sitting on nine points from five matches.
The two sides have contrasting styles. Carrick, particularly at Taylors Avenue, will look to make this a battle. Stephen Baxter’s side have shown plenty of quality already this season, but will have to cope without suspended duo Paul Heatley and Jimmy Callacher.
Cliftonville will arrive with their usual possession-based approach, although Jim Magilton’s side may have to adapt to the challenge Carrick present. The Reds responded well to their previous defeat by beating Portadown last weekend, with Brian Healy particularly impressive. It is a young side, but there is already plenty for Cliftonville supporters to be optimistic about.
Crusaders vs Limavady United
Crusaders’ run of three consecutive league wins came to an end away to Coleraine last weekend, but there was little shame in losing to a side in such impressive form.
After a disappointing campaign last season, things are looking much more positive at Seaview. The Crues have made a solid start and will see this as an opportunity to return to winning ways.
Limavady will have other ideas. They remain pointless after their opening four games, but there have been encouraging moments in their performances. The Roesiders now need to start turning those glimpses of promise into points.
Glentoran vs Bangor
Glentoran’s start to the season has been up and down, and Declan Devine’s side will be determined to get back to winning ways at the Oval.
Home advantage could be important, with the Oval traditionally a difficult place to visit. Bangor, however, arrive with reasons for optimism. Their second-half comeback against Ballymena United last weekend was hugely encouraging, while they also frustrated Larne for long periods in Tuesday night’s narrow defeat.
There is definitely something for Lee Feeney to build on, and Bangor will hope to replicate the type of performance Crusaders produced at the Oval two weeks ago.
Portadown vs Larne
It has been a difficult start for Portadown and David Jeffrey. Five league defeats and six defeats overall is not where they would have expected to be at this stage of the season.
The Ports will get a point eventually – the question is when. This is another extremely difficult test against a Larne side beginning to build momentum following their European heartbreak.
The champions have picked up wins against Glentoran and Bangor, grinding out results when required, and they may have to do the same again here.
Dungannon Swifts vs Linfield
Saturday night’s 6pm kick-off sees two of the Premiership’s form sides go head-to-head, with both Dungannon Swifts and Linfield having won four league games in a row.
Rodney McAree has built Dungannon into an established top-six side, and they will always fancy their chances at Stangmore Park. Former Portadown boss Niall Currie recently described the Swifts as “the most exciting he’s seen”, and another strong result here would further underline their progress.
Linfield, though, arrive knowing that expectations demand three points in every game. David Healy’s side have been playing well and have responded brilliantly since their opening-day defeat. Something has to give on Saturday night – and it has all the ingredients to be one of the games of the weekend.
