Cup Final Weekend

Coleraine v Linfield

Any domestic fixture listing with the characters 'Linfield' and 'v' contained therein is an easy call at present. They are the side no one wants to face; unbeaten since opening day, 17 scored against none conceded in their last six league outings - including last week's ruthless rout of Loughgall. Coleraine, while game, have had to suffer consecutive games against Glentoran, Crusaders and Cliftonville with no return. It's hard to see The Bannsiders improving on that run tonight.

6/1 Coleraine
13/5 Draw
4/9 Linfield


Donegal Celtic v Armagh City

The Eagles current ten point tally has been secured in the last five games; fine form indeed from Kinky's side, and they'll take the field at Suffolk Road confident of picking up three more precious points against the divisional newcomers. Paddy Kelly's side have blown hot and cold - if they're going to consolidate this season, these are the games they need to win. At home to the side three points above you constitutes a six pointer for DC, even at this early stage. Looks too tight to call.

11/8 Donegal Celtic
11/5 Draw
13/8 Armagh City


Glenavon v Crusaders

Stephen Baxter will be hoping that his side suffer no hangover from Tuesday's heavy defeat at Linfield in the County Antrim Shield. On league form, they should dispose of the Glenavon threat. The Lurgan Blues proved last week that you underestimate them at your peril; not the sort of error one would anticipate from the thorough Belfast outfit. Glenavon also have a bit of an injury catastrophe on their hands - the money's on the Crues.

10/3 Glenavon
9/4 Draw
8/11 Crusaders


Larne v Ballymena United

With Paul Curran taking over in the coldseat at Inver Park for this game, there may be an X factor for the home side; who continue without suspended topscorer, Colm Kearney. Conveniently, tonight's opposition are Ballymena United, one of the league's out of sorts sides. It's just not happening for The Braidmen at the minute with last week's narrow home loss to Lisburn Distillery pinning them closer to the bottom feeders. This game is there for the taking for the home side.

7/4 Larne
9/4 Draw
5/4 Ballymena Utd


Lisburn Distillery v Dungannon Swifts

Paul Kirk would dearly love to celebrate his new contract with 3 more points tonight . Ryan Catney is out for The Whites until the transfer window reopens, while the Blues may have to do without captain Gary Fitzpatrick at the back. Michael Ward is another doubt for Harry Fay's side, but Shane McCabe will be available after suspension. It's a crucial game for both sides, and the result will tell onlookers a lot about the forthcoming fortunes of their respective Setanta Cup aspirations. The Swifts can ill afford to lose more ground on the sides above them, and the Whites must win to claw themselves further in the right direction; thus building on last week's equally vital success at Ballymena. There's a great view from this fence.

7/4 Distillery
9/4 Draw
5/4 Dungannon


Loughgall v Portadown

Loughgall, the side that everyone wants to play now. Things look even bleaker for The Villagers this week on the back of their thrashing at Windsor Park last time out. The youngsters who are being drafted in to replace the players who've defected in the wake of Jim Gardiner's dismisal are raw and ill prepared for such formidable opposition. Three points here for the Reds will haul them into the thick of the battle for top spot; 19 points from their last 21 suggests they will do it.

13/2 Loughgall
11/4 Draw
2/5 Portadown


Cliftonville v Glentoran - CIS Cup Final

After last season, it's refreshing to encounter a Cup final which doesn't involve Linfield. Cliftonville will doubtless be eager to turn their good start into something tangible; Glentoran will want to send out the message that they are winners to their nearest challengers. This is a nicely balanced game; The Reds opening day success at Linfield has earned them respect from allcomers; Glentoran have individual class and strength in depth. The difference between the two could be on the respective benches. With five substitues to be nominated for this Final, Paul Millar will have the better options if he needs to turn the game in his side's favour. Meanwhile, Eddie Patterson can only look on from afar as he continues to serve his touchline ban. The Glens to take a hard fought win for me.

3/1 Cliftonville
9/4 Draw
4/5 Glentoran


Derry City v St. Patrick's Athletic - FAI Cup Final

The Candystripes attempt to send outgoing manager Stephen Kenny back to Parsland with a Cup medal and they face a St Pats side who have failed to beat them on three occasions this season. After an arduous run in at the end of a draining program, the Foylesiders should have recharged their batteries over the past fortnight and will be raring to go. Their opponents have been preparing for this game for 5 weeks now, as they were well out of the title chase when they won their semi-final. Derry will be without Ciaran Martyn through suspension, a blow to their goalscoring threat. Fortunately, Mark Farren finished the season in fine form, and will be a menace to a Saints defence missing Darragh Maguire, also through suspension. At the opposite end of the field, Trevor Molloy has been scoring for fun during The Saints' cup run and is always liable to snatch a goal.
There's a fairytale here whichever side lifts the cup - but the value bet is probably with Pats to bridge over four decades without a cup win.

4/5 Derry City
9/4 Draw
3/1 St Patrick's Ath