Cliftonville and Dungannon for a Swift profit

Armagh City v Linfield

By next Wednesday night Linfield could be sitting on top of the table; an ominous prospect for their challengers. There's not much chance of them slipping up against the side with the worst defensive record in the league.

11/2 Armagh
3/1 Draw
2/5 Linfield


Ballymena United v Cliftonville

The visitors will no doubt be oozing confidence after collecting some silverware during the week; a fine reward for their excellent efforts thus far. It's up to Eddie Patterson to ensure that they don't sit back now they've proven that there's life after Conor Downey. The Sky Blues? No better men to burst a bubble but I'm siding with the Reds here. Simon Kelly is unavailable as he carries a 2 match ban from his Dundalk days.

2/1 Ballymena
9/4 Draw
11/10 Cliftonville


Dungannon Swifts v Crusaders

Harry Fay's been telling anyone who'll listen that the Swifts are finally getting the results their football deserves. Last week's victory at the Oval raised a few eyebrows - meantime Crusaders are struggling to regain their early-season impetus; Colin Coates, Jeff Spiers and Stephen McBride are doubts for the Hatchetmen, although they will have new signing Andy Hunter available for this clash. The money's on Dungannon

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


Larne v Glenavon

This is another must win game for Larne. Recent improvements will count for nought if they don't collect points from the sides within their view. The absence of Colm Kearney from the Reds frontline will be a boost to the Lurgan Blues; the return of Conor Walsh and Gavin McDonnell a further one. Lewis Hamlin will probably play up top for the Invermen and will be looking to continue his recent impressive form. Nothing between them, best watched (though probably only the highlights).

6/4 Larne
11/5 Draw
6/4 Glenavon


Lisburn Distillery v Glentoran

Conor Hagan will not be included for this game and Gareth McKeown has completed his move to Portadown. The Whites impressive recent run has begun to run out of steam; they face a Glentoran side desperately in need of a morale boosting result. With Linfield playing again in midweek nothing less than 3 points will do for Windy's boys, who are still without Kyle Neill and Ryan Berry. Two teams in erratic form, not really one for risking money.

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


Loughgall v Coleraine

Shane Reddish has been busy rebuilding his squad, but the results have not been forthcoming. The basement side have yet to collect maximum points this season; they face a Coleraine squad which arrives on the back of 6 straight league victories in an unbeaten run of 8 games. Can't see Coleraine dropping points but at odds on I can let it pass.

10/3 Loughgall
9/4 Draw
8/11 Coleraine



Portadown v Limavady United

Ronnie McFall's charges are undoubtedly the league's form side; they need fear no one as their recent outing at Windsor Park proved. JC has done a decent job in recent weeks; despite losing Vincent Sweeney to Cliftonville, the Roesiders are unbeaten in their last 5 league assignments. Ports welcome Peter Kennedy back to action, Alan Smart completes his suspension; while Michael Collins and John Convery continue to struggle with injury. Ronnie risked both last week at Linfield, he may be tempted to rest one or both for this fixture. Looks a formality anyhow.

1/3 Portadown
3/1 Draw
15/2 Limavady

Crues and Lisburn to land the spoils

Newry City v Larne
Last week's cup victory will have momentarily lifted the gloom at the Showgrounds, but it's back to the recently miserable business of the league for managerless Newry. Karl Bermingham is not coming back; with Lee Feeney and Paddy Donegan suspended for the side that have won only once in the Premier division before their own fans this season. Larne enjoyed their first league success last time out, and will be buoyed by their second half performance against Cliftonville last week. Colm Kearney and Tony Anderson are getting fitter by the week; and Aaron Black has added spine to the side. Larne to take a draw.

4/6 Newry
12/5 Draw
7/2 Larne


Cliftonville v Armagh City
On the basis of Armagh's recent outings, the Reds have nothing to fear. City were lucky to see off Institute's challenge last week in the cup; they've conceded 16 goals in their last four league outings, and the absence of the influential Chris Walker through suspension will further weaken the Eagles' resolve. Eddie Patterson must plan without Conor Downey, folowing his switch to Linfield, and the injured Chris Scannell- it still looks a formality for the Belfast side however.

8/15 Cliftonville
12/5 Draw
5/1 Armagh


Coleraine v Donegal Celtic
The Bannsiders have been in flying form of late; although their cup exit at the hands of Distillery may leave them a little deflated. They face a DC side who have gone 3 games unbeaten in the league, and who travel well. Paddy Kelly must plot without the services of Pat McAllister, and Paul McVeigh will be looking to continue his goalscoring run. Anything other than a Coleraine win would be a surprise.

4/6 Coleraine
12/5 Draw
7/2 Donegal Celtic


Crusaders v Ballymena United
Difficult to know what to expect from this duo. The Sky Blues are predictably unpredictable, Crusaders may still be groggy after 4 consecutive home league reversals. Chris Morrow misses out for the Belfast side. Honours are even in this term's meetings with a win apiece and a draw between them. However I think this is about Crusaders level, and I take them to win this game. I've spotted EVS and bigger on them around the place, that is our weekend punt.

10/11 Crusaders
9/4 Draw
5/2 Ballymena



Glenavon v Lisburn Distillery
Lisburn Distillery had been setting the table alight with their form until Coleraine sneaked a win against them last time out. Well the Whites have avenged that defeat and now face the inconsistent Lurgan Blues. Conor Walsh and Gavin McDonnell sit this one out for Colin Malone's side, who have new striker David Bracken available. Darren Armour is out of Paul Kirk's plans, and Gareth McKeown will not be selected as he moves to Portadown next week. The Whites to return to winning ways in the league.

9/4 Glenavon
9/4 Draw
EVS Lisburn


Glentoran v Dungannon Swifts
People remain unconvinced by the Glenmen's title credentials, but almost tw-thirds of the way through the season they are still on top. Windy's men were merciless against Armagh last time out, but were unimpressive against Ballymoney in the cup. Nonetheless, while Gary Hamilton remains fit and interested they can score goals against anyone; unfortunately the same cannot be said of the Swifts. True they walloped 7 past lower division opposition midweek, but they'll not find Messrs. Leeman and Co. as benevolent. That being said, the home side have doubts regarding the fitness of Gary Smyth and Kyle Neill. I like the Glens to win, don't like the price however.

4/9 Glentoran
13/5 Draw
6/1 Dungannon


Limavady United v Loughgall
JC has overseen a subtle renaissance at the Roesiders, who are unbeaten in their last four league outings. Loughgall are still waiting for their first league win, and the absence of Noel Robinson , Darragh Peden and Bryan Pentland suggest that not much will change in their 'W' column this week.

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


Linfield v Portadown
The best 'til last. A lipsmackin' showdown at Windsor when Portadown get to measure their recent achievements against the mother of all yardsticks. Not the week to be without Allan Smart and Peter Kennedy through suspension; their absence suggests that Michael Collins and John Convery will play, in spite of fitness concerns. Kevin Braniff has impressed thus far for Ronnie's Reds. DJ waits on Paul McAreavey, but the arrival of Conor Downey illustrates the depth of quality available to the Blues boss. If Smart played I'd be backing Ports, but without his threat I prefer the draw for small money.

5/6 Linfield
12/5 Draw
13/5 Portadown

Banking on the Ports again

Newry City v Dungannon Swifts
Roy Coyle includes his latest captures, defender Brian Kelly and a badly needed striker in Peter Hynes, when Dungannon come to town. Harry Fay has new midfielder Dwayne McManus available for his goal-shy side. Both sides have flattered to deceive, with Swifts in serious danger of losing sight of the fourth spot they've secured in recent seasons. City's draw at Distillery last time out was impressive. I cautiously side with Coyle's men.

6/4 Newry
11/5 Draw
6/4 Dungannon


Cliftonville v Linfield
The Blues have the benefit of fresh legs after the cancellation of their game with Limavady, and there's no chance of them underestimating Eddie Paterson's side as DJ celebrates ten years in charge. The Solitude boss has recruited Daniel Lyons in an effort to improve his side's goal threat, and Noel Bailie's recent injury troubles may keep him out of the Linfeld line up for this one. The champions haven't looked back since their opening day collapse against the Reds, and in spite of the appearance of fallibility still boast the meanest back five in the league. I expect the Blues to take maximum points.

10/3 Cliftonville
9/4 Draw
8/11 Linfield


Coleraine v Lisburn Distillery
This rehearsal for next week's Irish Cup clash brings two of the table's form sides head to head. Marty Quinn has turned his side's fortunes around and victory against the Whites will bring them within a point of Paul Kirk's side - no mean feat when you consider that Distillery have taken 19 points from 21 of late. Darren Armour is suspended for the visitors, while Stephen Carson is unavailable for the Bannsiders. Nothing in it; fence-sitting time.

6/4 Coleraine
11/5 Draw
6/4 Portadown


Crusaders v Portadown
This is a pivotal game for the hosts who arrested a recent slump when seeing off Armagh City last time out. Victory will take them level with their opponents, defeat may consign them to the chasing pack for the remainder of the campaign Ronnie McFall's side are oozing confidence at the moment and will believe that they can take maximum points at Seaview. They'll be hoping for goals from Kevin Braniff to help them on their way. Ports are missing a few players but I believe their better form against the top teams will see them prevail here and take the win.

2/1 Crusaders
2/1 Draw
5/4 Portadown


Glenavon v Ballymena United
Glenavon have not left the pitch with maximum points in any of their last nine outings. There have been a lot of comings and goings at Mourneview of late, it remains to be seen if this will have an unsettling effect on the side or no. They face the difficult task of puncturing the ebullience of Ballymena United after their notable victory over Glentoran last time out. Followers of the Sky Blues will probably watch this one with their hands over their eyes; a symptom of the notorious inconsistency of Tommy Wright's side - though they have netted an impressive 11 goals in their last four games. Sky blue skies to continue for the sky blues.

15/8 Glenavon
11/5 Draw
6/5 Ballymena Utd


Glentoran v Armagh City
Armagh City can only hope to maintain a respectable scoreline as they face this weekend's most unenviable task. The Glens' pride has been seriously dented and they need to come out fighting to reassert their claim to the title. They haven't won in their last three games, their worst run of the season, and with the Blues breathing into their ears there's no more room for error from Paul Millar's men. The Cock'n'Hens to win - while keeping a clean sheet.

2/7 Glentoran
10/3 Draw
8/1 Armagh City


Limavady United v Donegal Celtic
Two sides who have shown signs of improvement of late. Both outfits were on the receiving end of trouncings from Lisburn Distillery, and have remained unbeaten since. United's results have been the more impressive, and with Paddy Kelly allowing Gavin Melaugh and Daniel Lyons to leave DC it looks like the home side should narrowly prevail here.

6/5 Limavady
11/5 Draw
15/8 Donegal Celtic


Loughgall v Larne
The battle for second last spot continues at Lakeview Park, and the combatants are neck and neck. Larne have Tony Anderson and Colm Kearney in harness and once this pair reaches match fitness things could improve for Paul Curran's side. With Aaron Black to bed in at the back alongside Padraig Gollogly, there's room for guarded optimism from the Inver Park faithful. But three points against the side which drew with DC on their last outing is a must; the race for safety starts here.

6/5 Loughgall
11/5 Draw
15/8 Larne