It is Valentine’s Day, so will love be in the air tonight at the Coleraine Showgrounds when the Bannsiders’ host Glentoran? I’m not so sure, but the action on the field is sure to heat things up as the two sides kick-off another action-packed week in the Sports Direct Premiership.
If that is not enough for all you football lovers fear not, a further five fixtures take place on Saturday, with Glenavon hosting Cliftonville the pick of the afternoon ties. Portadown then host reigning champs Larne in the early evening kick-off with both teams desperate to get a win under their belts.
FRIDAY (KICK-OFF 7:45PM, LIVE ON BBC IPLAYER)
Coleraine v Glentoran
There are some chinks of light around the Showgrounds after two draws and a victory against Carrick Rangers. Their quintet of new signings in January are giving them an added dimension and they can be confident of making the leap from eighth to sixth before the end-of-season split. If they can maintain consistency.
To maintain their three-game unbeaten streak, they may have preferred that it wasn’t Glentoran heading north on Friday.
The Glens are unbeaten in 14 games, in what has been a staggering turnaround under Declan Devine. Their confident 1-0 win over third-placed Dungannon Swifts last week shows a team comfortable in their own skin.
But fear not Coleraine fans. The Bannsiders are undefeated in three games against the Belfast side and have a win to their name against them back in October.
Of course, that was before Devine got his troops rocking but you get the sense this could be a make-or-break game for Coleraine as they seek a big scalp to get their season on track. But will it come just a couple of weeks too early?
Odds: Home: 13/10 Draw: 23/10 Away: 13/8
Prediction: Glentoran
SATURDAY (KICK-OFF 3PM UNLESS STATED)
Crusaders v Ballymena United
The Crues appear to have turned a bit of a corner in recent weeks, winning three of their last four games, including a fantastic victory over Larne at Inver Park last week.
They appear to have snuck up the table to fourth place, level on points with Dungannon above them and will fancy their chances of victory on Saturday against United.
Jim Ervin would love to pick up three points. After dreaming big early in the season, his side now languish in ninth and could fall to 10th if Glenavon defeat Cliftonville.
To their credit they showed great heart against Linfield last Friday, only to be denied by a Kyle McClean equaliser in the 100th minute. The question is will they draw confidence from that performance or be sucker-punched by how it all unravelled.
The Crues have won six on the bounce against the side from Warden Street and I feel they may be just too inspired come Saturday to be stopped.
Odds: Home: 10/11 Draw: 23/10 Away: 13/5
Prediction: Crusaders
Dungannon Swifts v Carrick Rangers
Having failed to win in three games, the Swifts find themselves in the unusual position of being on a mini-losing streak.
Last week’s loss to Glentoran was the first in some time where they looked to be out of ideas, but they have a chance for a quick return to winning ways at Stangmore Park on Saturday.
Carrick are in the midst of an almighty poor run.
No league win since November highlights the crisis facing manager Stephen Baxter, who was left to rue more defensive errors in a 3-0 demolition at the hands of Cliftonville in midweek.
The Swifts are sure to add more misery to Rangers come the final whistle.
Odds: Home: 3/4 Draw: 13/5 Away: 14/5
Prediction: Dungannon Swifts
Glenavon v Cliftonville
Fans will be in for a treat if this game is even half as entertaining as their Irish Cup tie just two weeks ago.
On that day the Reds’ ran out 3-2 winners after extra-time in a frenetic display of attacking intent and missed opportunities.
Glenavon will be without Peter Campbell against Cliftonville due to suspension, the winger having impressed this season under new boss Paddy McLaughlin, but with four league wins on the bounce, there is a confidence that someone else can step up to the plate.
Cliftonville may be sixth, but they are only a point a way from third position, with all to play for. Wednesday night’s 3-0 win over Carrick shows their goalscoring prowess and I feel they may just have enough to get over the line at Mourneview.
Odds: Home: 7/4 Draw: 5/2 Away: 6/5
Prediction: Cliftonville
Linfield v Loughgall
This game sees top against bottom go head-to-head at Windsor Park and bar a shock of the ages; the Blues will surely keep all three points in the city.
Tuesday night’s win over Larne further illustrated David Healy’s side’s resilience in getting the job done, and unfortunately Loughgall could be in for a long afternoon.
Odds: Home: 1/10 Draw: 13/2 Away: 14/1
Prediction: Linfield
Portadown v Larne (kick-off 5:30PM)
Portadown have slipped out of the top six in recent weeks and Niall Currie will be desperate to put an end to a four-game winless run.
They come up against a Larne side fresh from defeats against Crusaders and Linfield and with that loss find themselves surely out of the title race.
Will the Inver men come out fighting or be deflated after another defeat? It is hard to know at this stage and their European run earlier in the campaign seems to be having an effect on their legs now.
It would be almost unheard of in recent years for Larne to go down to three defeats in-a-row but something tells me Currie will fancy this one.
Odds: Home: 19/10 Draw: 2/1 Away: 13/10
Prediction: Portadown