Monday evening sees the conclusion of Irish Premiership action in 2024, with all 12 teams involved.
The pick of the night’s games sees current league leaders Linfield host reigning league champions Larne at Windsor Park.
Portadown’s tie with Glentoran at Shamrock Park is also an eye-catcher as both sides go in search of a second spot in the standings.
Ballymena United, Carrick, Cliftonville and Loughgall will also enjoy home advantage in their respective fixtures.
So read on for all the previews, predictions and betting odds as we wave goodbye to 2024 and welcome more footballing action in 2025.
MONDAY (KICK-OFF, 7:45PM)
Linfield v Larne
With a 12-point lead at the top of the Sports Direct Premiership, the Blues will finish the year well ahead of the chasing pack no matter the result in south Belfast. However, the St Stephen’s Day draw with Glentoran was a fortunate point gained rather than two points lost, and the stalemate once more highlighted their potential lack of goals in attack against the top opposition.
Larne occupy ninth with a glut of re-arranged fixtures due in January and they were also disappointed last time out against Carrick Rangers in another scoreless event.
All five of the last meetings between these sides have had less than 2.5 goals scored so do not be expecting a goal-fest.
The sides have met twice this season already, with a win apiece, surprisingly both wins coming for the teams on the road.
I expect this one to be another tight affair, but I fancy David Healy’s side to just have enough in the tank.
Odds: Home: 10/11 Draw: 9/4 Away: 13/5
Prediction: Linfield
Ballymena United v Glenavon
St Stephen’s Day almost brought surprise wins for both these sides, but United threw away a 2-0 lead against rivals to pick up their first draw of the campaign.
Glenavon defeated neighbouring Portadown 2-0 in the mid-Ulster derby, and that win is the culmination of some of the positive changes brought into the club by new manager Paddy McLaughlin, the Lurgan Blues are now a tough old nut to crack.
United have won their last four games against Glenavon and already have beaten them twice this season. Despite Glenavon’s recent fillip in form I fancy the Braidmen to get the job done at the Showgrounds.
Odds: Home: 29/20 Draw: 21/10 Away: 13/8
Prediction: Ballymena United
Carrick Rangers v Crusaders
Carrick boss Stephen Baxter gets his second crack at previous club Crusaders after overseeing a demolition job back in November when his new side ran out 3-0 winners.
Expect this one to be a lot closer. Rangers are unbeaten in three games, but their last two have been scoreless draws and they will be looking forward to the January when their new signings arrive from the League of Ireland to offer a more consistent threat towards their opponents.
However, with eight of the last 10 meetings between the two have resulted in more than 2.5 goals, don’t rule out some goal-mouth action, especially with both sides having rather leaky defences thus far.
With Carrick drawing against Larne and the Crues defeating Cliftonville, both sides should have plenty of confidence going into this one, but given their lack of consistency it may just come down to who wants it more on the day.
Odds: Home: 7/4 Draw: 12/5 Away: 6/5
Prediction: Crusaders
Cliftonville v Dungannon Swifts
Jim Magilton will be glad to see the back of the end of 2024 after three defeats on the bounce. Having only scored a single goal in those three games paints a picture of the Reds’ struggles in front of goal; only the league’s top scorer Joe Gormley has offered a successful return this season and surely Magilton will invest in this area come January.
The north Belfast side could have hoped for an easier end to the year than a fixture against second-placed Dungannon. Rodney McAree has the Swifts playing with all the class he usually does but this time they also have an edge.
Cliftonville will take heart from their two wins against Dungannon this season already and will be hoping Rory Hale can discover the form that saw him nominated for player of the year last season. If Dungannon can get a point at Solitude it will be further proof that they really can compete with all-comers on all days.
Odds: Home: 6/10 Draw: 14/5 Away: 15/4
Prediction: Draw
Loughgall v Coleraine
While few may be shocked at Loughgall’s struggles with a limited budget, there are a few raised eyebrows with Coleraine’s eighth placing in the table.
The move to full-time football has not been a smooth transition for the Bannsiders and they will hope that this game gives them a chance to get back to winning ways.
Last week’s comeback draw with Ballymena will give manager Dean Shiel’s faith in his players that they have the heart to go with their talents and with Matthew Shevlin and Jamie McGonigle in their ranks, goals are always on the menu.
Loughgall haven’t won in their last seven games and although they have managed a couple of credible draws in December, they have lacked any real goal threat. An away win is surely on the cards in this one.
Odds: Home: 16/5 Draw: 13/5 Away: 7/10
Prediction: Coleraine
Portadown v Glentoran
It’s fourth against third in Co Armagh as fans are likely to be treated to another cracker under the lights at Shamrock Park.
The last time the sides met here back in August, a deflected Niall McGinn goal gave the Glens victory in the dying moments of the game, but the Ports never looked back since.
The St Stephen’s Day loss to Glenavon will have hurt Niall Currie but derbies are strange beasts, and I expect the Ports to come back firing on Monday night.
Glentoran should have beaten Linfield at home last week and will rue Jordan Jenkins’ hatful of opportunities. They will have to do without captain Marcus Kane who was sent-off late on but will still have enough to make this fixture an enthralling one.
The Glens start the game as favourites but Portadown are undefeated in more than two months at home and I think they may just bounce back.
Odds: Home: 11/4 Draw: 12/5 Away: 17/20
Prediction: Portadown