Modest stakes on the Lurgan Blues

Coleraine v Dungannon Swifts
This is a tricky assignment for Harry Fay's men, with the Bannsiders recent results instilling belief and confidence in the side. The Swifts won by the smallest of margins in both CIS Cup meetings earlier this year, but are finding goals hard to come by in the league while they're also tight enough at the other end of the pitch. Looks a draw.

2/1 Coleraine
9/4 Draw
11/10 Dungannon


Crusaders v Linfield
As predicted here recently, Crusaders are suffering from a serious bout of vertigo. Three defeats on the bounce with ten goals conceded is relegation form. And if they're going to stop the rot today it will take a gargantuan performance. Linfield are beginning to move up through the gears, while not looking as impregnable at the back as DJ might like. Noel Bailie may be sitting this one out along with Jamie Mulgrew, while Barry Spence serves a suspension for the red card he received on his most recent outing for Crusaders. Peter Thompson is rediscovering the confidence that only goals bring and the Crues defence will do well to keep the Blues scoreless; although I can't see that happening.

9/2 Crusaders
12/5 Draw
4/7 Linfield


Donegal Celtic v Larne
Two teams who can't buy a win at the moment. Neither has celebrated a league victory since opening day and with the home side 4 points to the good, this is a six pointer for the Inver Park men. The potential absence of both Gavin Melaugh and Sean Armstrong will bring a smile to Paul Curran's face - there were signs of improvement from Larne as they went under to Limavady on the 26th, I expect them to take something from this game.

5/4 Donegal Celtic
2/1 Draw
2/1 Larne


Glenavon v Armagh City
David Atiba Charles is back after suspension for Glenavon, and with doubts surrounding the fitness of Marty Hunter, Neil Gawley and David Hawthorne it's a timely return. Having won on 4 consecutive occasions, Armagh have followed up with consecutive defeats and looked completely disinterested when conceding three at home to Newry City last time out. The Lurgan Blues have just completed the Top 5 fixture sequence and managed to take a point in two of those games as well as giving Linfield a scare on their last outing at Mourneview Park. Glenavon the bet of the week - for small money however.

5/4 Glenavon
2/1 Draw
2/1 Armagh City


Glentoran v Portadown
The pick of Saturday's fixtures brings two of the season's most consistent sides together. The retention of Kevin Pressman is a boost for Ports, as his presence is in no small way responsible for the finest defensive record in the top division. It's at the top end that they'll suffer today, as Paul Leeman and Gary Smyth man a tight ship themselves and Ronnie McFall's outfit are not what you'd call freescoring. The red hot form of Gary Hamilton will stretch the Reds rearguard to its limit in what should be an intriguing contest. Best watched as it's hard to evaluate Ports form.

10/11 Glentoran
9/4 Draw
5/2 Portadown


Limavady United v Cliftonville
Liam Fleming is back for the Reds, who may be without the goal threat of George McMullan and David McAlinden against John Cunningham's side. Speculation suggests that Vincent Sweeney and Steven Parkhouse could be making their last appearances for the Roesiders who have only found the net 4 times in front of their own fans this term. Nonetheless, they have won their last two matches. Cliftonville the obvious choice.

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


Loughgall v Lisburn Distillery
The managerial uncertainty continues at Lakeview Park and they host the league's form side when Lisburn Distillery visit. The Whites are scoring at will; with 16 goals in a run of 5 successive wins they are the team that no one wants to meet. The hosts are the only side in the Premier division without a win, and they've shipped 17 goals in their last five outings. This is exactly the kind of game where the Lisburn wheels come off as they are expected to perform. I'm not yet convinced enough by Kirk's men to back them at odds on, so I'll sit it out.

10/3 Loughall
9/4 Draw
8/11 Lisburn



Newry City v Ballymena United
Newry City returned to winning ways last time out, but the prolonged absence of Karl Bermingham continues to hurt them. Ballymena have wrested the title of 'Most Frustrating Side' from Distillery. Tommy Wright's men were very poor in the first half of their recent defeat to Coleraine, but very good in the second half. Who knows what Sky Blue performance we'll see on Saturday? Yeah, a draw.

5/4 Newry
9/4 Draw
7/4 Ballymena

A Swift punt with Ports & Distillery

Coleraine v Armagh City
Coleraine are without defender Stuart Clanachan as they attempt to build on two highly creditable draws in their last two outings. The Eagles have skipper Johnny Cowan suspended, along with Liam Cullen. Philip McBirney is expected to miss the game and Mark Gracey is doubtful. Gary McKinstry's side are oozing confidence on the back of four straight wins, but their mettle will be seriously tested by the Bannsiders. I'm going to sit this one out from a punting point of view.

11/8 Coleraine
11/5 Draw
13/8 Armagh City


Crusaders v Limavady United
Crusaders should be comfortable winners here; it will be interesting to see how well they react to last week's disappointment. Limavady have shipped 9 goals without reply in their last three outings; Distillery embarassed them with a 5-0 drubbing on their home turf last time out. That hangover combined with the absence of Stephen Parkhouse suggests they'll struggle to keep a clean sheet against the Hatchetmen, let alone score. Crues are ones for the multiples.

4/9 Crusaders
13/5 Draw
6/1 Limavady


Donegal Celtic v Dungannon Swifts
DC's only victory this term was against the aforementioned Roesiders on the opening day; boss Paddy Kelly has made no secret of his displeasure with his squad, but the threat of imminent changes has done little to improve the status of the top tier's new boys. Four defeats on the trot is clear evidence of same. PK's threat to quit after another abject performance last week may act as a stimulus for his side, but on any occasion Harry Fay's team present a serious threat; they've won 4 from their last 5 and are showing signs of discovering that elusive commodity, consistency. Away win for small stakes.

5/2 Donegal Celtic
9/4 Draw
10/11 Dungannon


Glenavon v Linfield
The Battle of the Blues at Mourneview Park! Glenavon, already without Aaron Black after his sudden departure, must also contend with the absence of David Atiba Charles. All this against one of the most potent strike forces in the league; Peter Thompson's brace last week heralding a return to top form from the deadly striker. DJ's men aren't conceding too many, and haven't lost since their opening day reverse v Cliftonville. Spike should be celebrating his 400th appearance for the Champions with a win!


13/2 Glenavon
11/4 Draw
2/5 Linfield


Glentoran v Cliftonville
For those of you who do not know- this intriguing reprisal of the CIS Cup final kicks off at one, so get your money down early! Cliftonville played all the football last time out, but left Windsor empty handed. Eddie Patterson returns to the bench after his protracted suspension and would surely settle for a reversal of roles this time around. Huge game for the Reds, who can't afford to fall any further behind the table toppers; but they'll do well to take even a point from the freescoring Glenmen. The Glens winning run to continue.

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


Larne v Lisburn Distillery
Larne still await their first point under new management. Meanwhile, the Whites have clicked into gear and are on the back of a 3 game winning run. Since Linfield embarassed them at home, they've conceded only twice in 5 outings. Paul Kirk's men have something of a reputation for falling over low hurdles; they don't come much lower than a side which has lost an incredible 8 in a row. Distillery for the points.

3/1 Larne
9/4 Draw
4/5 Lisburn


Loughgall v Ballymena United
The Villagers' problems are well documented; but show no signs of alleviating; the poorest scoring record combined with the most porous defence can only mean bottom feeding for the rudderless outfit. While Ballymena have disappointed thus far, they have managed to string consecutive victories together for the first time - I wouldn't go breaking the bank backing them for a third straight win but they should still achieve it.

9/4 Loughgall
9/4 Draw
EVS Ballymena


Newry City v Portadown
Roy Coyle's side were impressing, early doors, as they say. Just as things were taking a turn for the better, Karl Bermingham fell injured and the Newrymen lost four on the trot, albeit against the top 4 sides. They continue that horrendous fixture sequence with the visit of Portadown. Ronnie's red raiders struggled in front of goal last time out, but they are on the grandmother of all runs. Unbeaten in 9 games, they need to keep the pressure on the top 4 with a win and are strong enough to do it.

13/5 Newry
12/5 Draw
5/6 Portadown


I'll be backing Dungannon, Portadown and Distillery in singles this week.

Glens to Crues to victory

Armagh City v Loughgall
Last week I remarked on Linfield's consistency, this week the kiss of death descends upon Loughgall; six straight defeats and not a single win this season. The Eagles are coming off three wins on the bounce; this is one for the accumulators.

4/7 Armagh
12/5 Draw
9/2 Loughall


Ballymena United v Donegal Celtic
After going 7 matches without a win the Sky Blues finally broke that run with victory at Larne last week. They face a Donegal Celtic side which hasn't won a game since the opening day of the season; but curiously has tasted defeat only once on the road. So no walkover for Tommy Wright's side here.

4/5 Ballymena
9/4 Draw
3/1 Donegal Celtic


Cliftonville v Glenavon
The Reds won many new admirers with their footballing performance in last week's CIS Cup final; but that was all they won. Eddie Patterson's team were a dejected lot after that defeat and will need to lift themselves for the task ahead. Glenavon were hard done by last week when they ran Crusaders close at Mourneview Park, again, a fine performance was undermined by their striking dearth.

4/6 Cliftonville
12/5 Draw
7/2 Glenavon


Crusaders v Glentoran
Lovely! This is what football is all about. Top spot is on the table at Seaview and never mind what Steven Baxter says publicly, he'll want that spot as badly as any manager worth his salt would. The Glens came out fighting in midweek as they reacted to criticisms of their perceived CIS non performance, and struck 3 without reply past Limavady. Crues have yet to drop a point at home, Glens have yet to drop a point away; something's gotta give. My personal feeling is that Crues are at the top of the table through a fortunate run of fixtures as much as anything else. When they start facing the top sides I think they'll crack. I confidently fancy Glentoran here.

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


Dungannon Swifts v Larne
It has been a frustrating season thus far for Swifts fans, with their favourites failing to achieve the degree of consistency needed to copperfasten a top four finish. That said, they should still have too much to offer against Larne, who failed under new boss Paul Curran to end their miserable run of ten games without a win when going down to Ballymena United at Inver Park. 3 goals in their last 6 outings offers evidence of the source of Harry Fay's headaches, the Swifts need a better striking return if they are to push on this term. Dungannon 1-0 looks likely.

4/7 Dungannon
12/5 Draw
9/2 Larne


Limavady United v Lisburn Distillery
The Roesiders have yet to win in front of their own supporters this season, and they are conceding goals at the rate of two per game. Paul Kirk's underachievers have managed to put back to back wins together for the first time in this term's crusade. Is this the beginnings of a run from the Whites? They should be able to take the points on offer here.

9/4 Limavady
9/4 Draw
EVS Lisburn


Linfield v Newry City
It is rare for David Jeffrey's charges to drop points in consecutive games, but Newry City are no pushover. Roy Coyle has infected his men with a stubborn resilience; and this coupled with the goalscoring achievements of Karl Bermingham gives the Newrymen a foothold against any side in the league. They rested last week, and were desperately unfortunate not to take a point from their previous outing, at Seaview. DJ won't tolerate anything less than 3 points though! The Blues to return to winning ways.

4/11 Linfield
11/4 Draw
15/2 Newry City


Portadown v Coleraine
Only Linfield and Crusaders have beaten the Reds this season, and Ronnie McFall's men are playing with all the confidence of a team who have collected 7 wins and a draw in their last 8 outings. Did we witness Coleraine awakening from their slumber last week; it's always easy to gee yourself up for a pop at the Champions, but can Marty Quinn's side build on last week's performance after a run of 4 successive defeats?

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