This week’s round of Sports Direct Irish Premiership ties kicks off on Friday night with Dungannon Swifts against Glenavon, a game to be streamed live on BBC iPlayer.
The high-flying Swifts, who are in second position in the table, will be hoping to put an end to Glenavon manager Paddy McLaughlin’s promising start in charge of the Lurgan Blues.
Saturday sees the remaining 10 sides take part and there are some intriguing games, not least Linfield’s visit to fortress Shamrock Park to play Portadown; and Glentoran’s home fixture with reigning league champions Larne.
So, will it be business as usual for the big boys? Or will there be a surprise or two in store? Read on for our preview, predictions and betting odds.
FRIDAY (7.45PM, LIVE ON BBC IPLAYER)
Dungannon Swifts v Glenavon
Second-placed Dungannon continue to defy the odds under the stewardship of boss Rodney McAree. They have shown they have the resilience to bounce back from disappointment and gave perhaps the performance of the season last Saturday when they demolished Crusaders 5-1 at Seaview.
Glenavon may be languishing in 10th but they have won three of their last four games and have their eyes now firmly above them rather than worrying about being sucked into a relegation dogfight below.
The Swifts beat the Lurgan Blues last time out in November at Stangmore Park after drawing earlier in the season at Mourneview Park and will rightfully begin the game as favourites, however McLaughlin’s men have not conceded a goal in three games so should make this a tough challenge for McAree’s men.
Odds: Home: 9/10 Draw: 12/5 Away: 13/5
Prediction: Dunagnnon Swifts
SATURDAY (3pm)
Carrick Rangers v Ballymena United
With both teams only having won a single game in their last five, a win is a necessity rather than a luxury for both Rangers and Ballymena.
A 3-0 loss away to Linfield last week showed the frailty of Carrick. They manfully defended for 45 minutes but never looked like scoring. Worryingly for manager Stephen Baxter they have not scored in four league outings now and that always is dangerous for a side already second-from-bottom.
Jim Ervin’s Sky Blues are thankful for their early season excellent run of form that they are not yet scrapping at the bottom but results of late are undoubtedly worrying. They haven’t tasted victory in seven ties and have failed to keep a clean sheet in seven.
With both sides in equally miserable form and having won one game apiece in their two meetings so far this season, this game has a draw written all over it.
Odds: Home: 6/5 Draw: 9/4 Away: 19/10
Prediction: Draw
Cliftonville v Loughgall
Cliftonville may be six places ahead of Saturday’s opponents in sixth place, but they have an identical run in form, having lost their last four league games.
The difference being that the Reds won their League Cup semi-final away to Larne in midweek, giving them a well-timed fillip heading into this one and a cup final to look forward too.
Loughgall also claimed an Irish Cup victory over Championship side Institute, but it was hard work and they relied on a last minute winner to progress to the sixth-round.
Jim Magilton’s men have scored nine and conceded just one in the two previous league meetings between the sides this season and it is hard to look beyond a home win on Saturday.
Odds: Home: 2/11 Draw: 5/1 Away: 10/1
Prediction: Cliftonville
Coleraine v Crusaders
The visiting Crusaders just cannot seem to find a win at present and will not find it easy going to the Showgrounds on Saturday even though Coleraine are one place below them in ninth in the table.
After the Crues were demolished 5-1 by Dungannon last week, they went down to Glentoran in the semi-final of the league cup. Declan Caddell is finding life in charge most difficult.
The Bannsiders’ game with Glenavon was called off last week so they should be well rested and will also be looking to hit the reset button as they engage in their first league action of 2025. Some big names are arriving at the Showgrounds in the summer but until then the aim will be to finish in the top six.
The Crues did win here back in November and showed encouraging signs in stages against the Glens, but I still feel that Dean Shiels’ team will have too much.
Odds: Home: 8/11 Draw: 13/5 Away: 3/1
Prediction: Coleraine
Glentoran v Larne
These two are possibly the two most in-form sides in the division alongside Linfield.
Glentoran are undefeated in an outstanding 10 game spell, whilst Larne are undefeated in their last five league games.
The Glens also have a League Cup Final to look forward to after defeating Crusaders in extra-time in Tuesday’s night’s semi-final.
Larne seem to have shaken off the European hangover and are back firing on all cylinders, with only the midweek cup loss to Cliftonville a blip on their report.
The Inver side have won both ties between the sides this season, but I fancy this one to finish all square.
Odds: Home: 6/4 Draw: 9/5 Away: 7/4
Prediction: Draw
Portadown v Linfield
Portadown ended 2024 and began 2025 on some unexpected shaky ground. Losing twice in the league and falling to Championship side Annagh in the cup, Niall Currie has been facing his first mini crisis. However, they bounced back well against Loughgall last week to win.
Linfield on the other hand are like a well-oiled machine. Often flattering to deceive but still grinding out victories and have opened up a 12-point lead at the top of the table.
The sides drew at Shamrock Park 2-2 earlier in the season, and it would be an almighty effort if the Ports could repeat the trick, but with Kyle McClean back in midfield, I think the Blues may just have too much in the tank.
Odds: Home: 15/4 Draw: 13/5 Away: 13/8
Prediction: Linfield