This weekend brings us the first round of Sports Direct Irish Premiership in 2025 and it promises to be another exciting one.
First up on Friday night is a clash of two of the biggest sides in local football. However, neither Larne nor Cliftonville look to be on course to challenge for the title come May unless they get a winning run together and that starts at Inver Park.
Ballymena host Glentoran on Saturday in a rematch from Tuesday where the Glens ran out winners. On that occasion a change of venue to east Belfast was necessary due to bad weather on Warden Street. Will home advantage and a better outlook from the weatherman see United turn the tables?
For thoughts on these games and all the others including predictions and betting odds, read on.
FRIDAY (7.45pm)
Larne v Cliftonville (Live on BBC iPlayer)
Friday night sees the first of a double-header between these two sides, with this Premiership tie being followed up by a League Cup semi-final on Tuesday night.
The Belfast side got their first win in four games last weekend with a comprehensive 4-0 win over amateur side Banbridge Rangers in the Irish Cup, but they face a much sterner challenge this evening.
After their shock cup loss to Limavady United last week, a bruised Larne side hit back with a vengeance, knocking over Crusaders 3-1 on Tuesday night and will fancy their chances of repeating the trick on home turf against Jim Magilton’s men.
The sides have already met twice in the league this season, with Larne winning at Solitude and the game at Inver Park finishing all square. Gary Haveron’s team have not lost to Cliftonville in five games, and I expect that trend to continue…just.
Odds: Home: 23/20 Draw: 9/4 Away: 2/1
Prediction: Larne
Glentoran boss Declan Devine is the NIFWA Manager of the Month for December.
In the month, the Glens defeated Crusaders, Cliftonville and Portadown in the league. Devine’s men also drew with rivals Linfield on Boxing Day and knocked them out of the BetMcLean Cup.
Devine said: “This is obviously testimony to the players and the backroom staff. The manager collects this award, but it’s a team effort.
“We enjoyed a good month but it’s hard work at times. We had to grind out some of those results. But overall, I feel we have come a long way since the summer.
“It feels like the entire club is pulling in the same direction. When everyone at Glentoran is pulling in the same direction, we’ve half a chance.”
SATURDAY (3pm)
Ballymena United v Glentoran
Despite having played each other three times already this season, Saturday’s clash will be only the second league meeting of the sides after a number of postponements.
United won that league fixture back in September, but lost both cup games including Tuesday night’s League Cup tie.
The Glens are now unbeaten in nine games in all competitions and are flying high as Declan Devine, who was this week named Manager of the Month, seems to have masterminded some consistency at last.
On the other hand, Jim Ervin’s troops have lost three on the bounce and have not kept a clean sheet in six outings. Very worrying when coming up against the likes of Glentoran’s form front two, Jordan Jenkins and David Fisher, both of whom scored midweek.
United will hope that recent experience will help them contain the Glens at the Showgrounds, with even a point being viewed as a success. However, surely Devine’s men will have too much for the Sky Blues.
Odds: Home: 15/4 Draw: 11/4 Away: 6/10
Prediction: Glentoran
Crusaders v Dungannon
It is seventh against third at Seaview with the Crues desperately needing to get some points on the board.
Tuesday night’s comprehensive loss to Larne at home, highlighted the lack of depth in Declan Caddell’s squad and they desperately missed top scorer Kieran Offord who they hope can return sooner rather than later.
The Swifts showed their resilience after two losses in December. They bounced back with a win over Loughgall before defeating Rathfriland 5-0 in the cup last week.
Rodney McAree has built a side who fancies their chances of defeating anyone on their day and he will travel to Belfast with high hopes. Despite this I feel that if Crusaders get a couple of players back from the injury list this one could end up all square.
Odds: Home: 11/8 Draw: 12/5 Away: 8/5
Prediction: Draw
Glenavon v Coleraine
Coleraine may be two places ahead of their hosts in eighth position in the table, but Dean Shiels could likely think of nowhere worse to travel to this weekend.
Paddy McLaughlin has been a revelation at the Lurgan Blues since arriving last month, picking up three wins in their last four outings.
Coleraine on the other hand have only won one of their last five, and you get the feeling that Shiels would like a full pre-season in a full-time set up and with new players to hit the reset button and have a real crack at the top three next year.
Last time the sides met was in November when they shared the spoils in a six-goal thriller, but I expect Glenavon to go one better this time.
Odds: Home: 17/10 Draw: 9/4 Away: 13/10
Prediction: Glenavon
Linfield v Carrick Rangers
David Healy’s side are sitting pretty, a whopping 10 points clear of second-placed Glentoran in the table. In a season full of shocks and upsets they have bucked the trend, winning four of their last five games.
With Kyle McClean and Robbie McDaid also returning to the fold in recent weeks, they have a depth in their squad unmatched by anyone other than perhaps Larne in the Premiership.
Carrick have failed to ignite under Stephen Baxter and remain one off the bottom. They have drawn their last three league games and just about sneaked past Championship side Newry City last week in the cup.
Rangers may be able to spring a surprise on their day, but surely this will be a hurdle too far.
Odds: Home: 2/9 Draw: 4/1 Away: 17/2
Prediction: Linfield
Loughgall v Portadown
Loughgall are already hoping for a miracle if they are to survive in the Premiership, and they might just have a chance against a Portadown side who have hit a bump in the road.
The Ports have lost their last three games, including a St Stephen’s Day loss to neighbours Glenavon and another nearby defeat to Championship team Annagh last week. Derbies are not a friend of Niall Currie at the moment.
Loughgall boss Dean Smith will be using this for motivation for his side in this Co Armagh match-up. This game will be a test of Portadown’s mental strength.
Odds: Home: 14/5 Draw: 12/5 Away: 4/5
Prediction: Draw