Danske Bank Premiership preview (all games today, 3pm)
Ballymena United v Dungannon Swifts
DAVID Jeffrey’s Braidmen have bounced back impressively from their 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Linfield last week, picking up wins over Carrick Rangers in the league before seeing off Warrenpoint Town in the League Cup.
Dungannon, meanwhile, are stuck in a rut having gone six games without a win, and also found themselves shipping four goals to David Healy’s Blues last week. Bowing out of the League Cup to Carrick during the week won’t have done much for morale.
Odds: H: 8/13 D: 3/1 A: 7/2
Prediction: Ballymena United
Carrick Rangers v Portadown
THE battle of the bottom two. The basement-dwelling Ports are currently eight points adrift from Carrick and will know the importance of closing that gap when they travel to the Belfast Loughshore Hotel Arena.
Portadown ran out easy 4-0 winners when the sides met in September but haven’t scored in three games as they prepare to face a Carrick side who have improved since new manager Aaron Callaghan’s arrival.
Odds: H: 7/5 D: 13/5 A: 6/4
Prediction: Draw
Coleraine v Ballinamallard Utd
COLERAINE certainly have the Indian sign over Ballinamallard, their 3-0 win over the Fermanagh men in September making it five in-a-row.
A win at The Oval last Saturday was followed up with a League Cup penalty shoot-out victory against Crusaders in midweek, so Oran Kearney’s side come into the game in confident mood.
The Mallards, meanwhile, have lost their last six games in all competitions.
Odds: H: 1/3 D: 15/4 A: 7/1
Prediction: Coleraine
Crusaders v Ards
CRUSADERS needed a last-gasp header from Jordan Owens header to snatch victory over Ards the last time these sides met, and the defending champions have since stormed to the top of the league.
Despite their lofty position, the Crues have yet to hit anything near top form.
Ards, meanwhile, are in good form away from home after wins over Portadown and an excellent 2-1 victory against Ballymena United in the County Antrim Shield.
Odds: H: 1/5 D: 11/2 A: 11/1
Prediction: Crusaders
Glenavon v Glentoran
GLENAVON have lost just once in their last 12 games as they prepare to welcome Glentoran to Mourneview Park today.
Gary Hamilton’s side will be hoping for a third win in-a-row but improving Glentoran will have other ideas after winning three and drawing two of their last six games.
Odds: H: 8/13 D: 3/1 A: 7/2
Prediction: Glenavon
Linfield v Cliftonville
AFTER an indifferent start to their league campaign, Cliftonville have started to find form and today’s trip to Windsor Park represents the chance to close the gap on David Healy’s second-placed Blues.
The Reds are currently four points behind their rivals, and are bidding to bounce back from Wednesday night’s League Cup exit to Glenavon.
Linfield, meanwhile, will be hoping to exact revenge for Cliftonville’s 2-1 win at Solitude when the sides met earlier in the season, with the Blues going six unbeaten since to lie just four points off table-topping Crusaders.
Odds: H: 6/10 D: 3/1 A: 15/4
Prediction: Draw
Odds supplied by Toals bookmakers
