In this post, you can find our Northern Ireland Premier Division betting tips and odds ahead of Gameweek 2 of the season.
The Northern Ireland Premier Division commenced last weekend with victories from Loughgall, Coleraine and Glentoran and Lane playing out an entertaining 4-4 draw with Dungannon Swifts on Monday Night.
The smallest settlement in Europe with a top-tier team go top of the league π
π @LoughgallFC #SportsDirectPrem pic.twitter.com/5esc3R128b
β NI Football League (@OfficialNIFL) August 5, 2023
We have looked at the favourites in a separate post here.
Ballymena v Crusaders
When? 7.45 pm, Friday 11th August
Where? Ballymena Showgrounds, Antrim
How To Watch?Β N/a
MATCH BETTING ODDS
Ballymena are 5/1, Crusaders are 4/9, and the draw is 3/1.
Preview
Ballymena finished in third place in the relegation playoff section last season and commenced their league campaign last weekend being defeated 2-1 by Coleraine despite taking a 12th-minute lead from a new signing from Cliftonville Colin Coates (37). This will be another tough test as they search for their first point of the season.
πΊ πππππππππ§π¦#SportsDirectPrem π@ColeraineFC start the season with a 2-1 win against @BallymenaUnited. pic.twitter.com/bhdRz1RFuW
β NI Football League (@OfficialNIFL) August 5, 2023
Crusaders FC finished in fifth place in the Championship section last season with 67 points sixteen points a drift of title-winners Larne. However, they qualified for Europe following their 1-2 AET victory (ironically against Ballymena).
Crusaders performed admirably in Europe only losing out in the Europa Conference League Second qualifying round 5-4 on aggregate to Rosenberg. They will commence their league campaign on Friday Night boosted by the likes of Jimmy Callacher who came from Linfield and Mal Smith from Glentoran.
And it ends in defeat tonight. An incredible effort from the lads.
Thank you to all our fans, you have been amazing π΄β«οΈ @BoyleSports @adidasUK @ProD_Soccer @OfficialNIFL @europa pic.twitter.com/2wmBkSdDig
β Crusaders Football Club (@CrusadersFC) August 3, 2023
Prediction
Ballymena 1-1 Crusaders
Best Bet
Draw @ 3/1
Click Below For All Our Ballymena v Crusaders Betting Odds
Glentoran v Larne
When? 7.45 pm, Friday, 11th August
Where? Mourneview Park, Armagh
How To Watch? BBC iPlayer
MATCH BETTING ODDS
Glentoran can be gotten at 7/5, Larne are 9/5, and the draw is 21/10.
Preview
Glentoran entered the league season following their heartbreaking European exit to Gzira 13-14 on penalties. It seemed destined for a 0-0 draw in their opener against Glenavon but a 98th minute winner from Jay Donnelly handed them their first win of the season at first time of asking. In the off-season.
The club recruited well with the likes of Daire OβConnor and Fuad Sule and I think they could have an even stronger season this year.
πΊ πππππππππ§π¦#SportsDirectPrem π@Glentoran score in the 98th minute to win 1-0 against @Glenavon_FC. pic.twitter.com/HGoXU9qhJ6
β NI Football League (@OfficialNIFL) August 6, 2023
Larne came into this following a 7-1 aggregate defeat and a European exit at the hands of Ballkani. In their opener, while they were widely expected to win playing a Dungannon side who narrowly avoided relegation last season. However, that was not to be with the two clubs playing out an entertaining 4-4 draw, signs of a European hangover could prove true.
πΊ πππππππππ§π¦#SportsDirectPrem π
What a game at Inver Park as @larnefc and @DgnSwifts battle out a 4-4 draw. pic.twitter.com/NvNf7wM9jo
β NI Football League (@OfficialNIFL) August 8, 2023
Prediction
Glentoran 1-1 Larne
Best Bet
Draw 21/10
Click Below For All Our Glentoran v Larne Betting Odds
Loughgall v Coleraine
When? 7.45 pm, Friday 11th August
Where? Lakeview Park,
The Showgrounds, Armagh
How To Watch?Β N/a
MATCH BETTING ODDS
Loughgall are 7/2, Coleraine are 8/11, and the draw is 5/2.
Preview
Fresh off promotion from their Championship victory 69 points, 65 goals and a watertight defence only conceding 20 goals. There were questions on whether Loughgall had the quality to make the step up comfortably into the Premiership.
To their credit after being handed a relatively easy fixture against Newryβs first game of the season they had a 0-3 victory, but there are tougher tests ahead.
πΊ πππππππππ§π¦#SportsDirectPrem π@LoughgallFC win 3-0 on the first game of the season against @NewryCityAFC. pic.twitter.com/jO6xF9WAh5
β NI Football League (@OfficialNIFL) August 6, 2023
Coleraine commence their season with a 2-1 victory over Ballymena, despite going behind courtesy of a Colin Coates goal on the 12th minute, a double from Matthew Shevlin scoring on the 23rd and 61st minute was enough to land them the spoils. This will be an interesting test for them with promoted Loughgall starting with a victory as well somebodyβs perfect record is going to go!
πΊ πππππππππ§π¦#SportsDirectPrem π@ColeraineFC start the season with a 2-1 win against @BallymenaUnited. pic.twitter.com/bhdRz1RFuW
β NI Football League (@OfficialNIFL) August 5, 2023
Prediction
Loughgall 0-2 Coleraine
Best Bet
Total Goals Under 2.5 EVS
Click Below For All Our Loughgall v Coleraine Betting Odds
Dungannon Swifts v Linfield
When? 3.00 pm, Saturday 12th August
Where? Stangmore Park, Tyrone
How To Watch?Β N/a
MATCH BETTING ODDS
Dungannon can be gotten at 12/1, Linfield are 1/6 while the draw is 11/2.
Preview
Dungannon comes into this match, looking for another shock result having played their part in an entertaining 4-4 draw against defending champions Larne on Monday Night.
Dungannon were fortunate not to have been relegated last season dramatically saving their Premier Division status by overcoming a 2-1 defeat against Annagh United in the first leg to beat them 2-0 in the second leg to retain their top-flight status. However, if they can show the fight they did against Larne on Monday, perhaps they will have a better season this time around.
ππ§ππ¨π πππππͺπ ππ£ππͺπ© π¬
A game for the ages π
What a night as @larnefc and @DgnSwifts draw 4-4 at Inver Park! #SportsDirectPrem pic.twitter.com/waASxE5Cv0
β NI Football League (@OfficialNIFL) August 7, 2023
Linfield commence their league campaign on Saturday and will be looking to return to the top of the table this year following their second-place finish to Larne last season. Manager David Healy has been in charge since 2015 and despite being linked with the Dundalk and Northern Ireland Manager job at various stages he remains in charge for now.
Iβm most looking forward to seeing how new signing Matthew Fitzpatrick does after signing from Glenavon.
Fan support the whole way through our European campaign has been amazing. Thank you π#COYB #AFJ #UECL pic.twitter.com/qP6UDzMLMz
β Linfield FC (@OfficialBlues) August 4, 2023
Prediction
Dungannon 0-3 Linfield
Click Below For All Our Dungannon v Linfield Betting Odds
Carrick v Newry City
When? 3.00 pm, Saturday 12th August
Where? Loughview Leisure Arena, Taylors Avenue, Carrickfergus
How To Watch?Β N/a
MATCH BETTING ODDS
Carrick can be gotten at 20/21, Newry are 12/5, while the draw is 12/5
Preview
Newry had a poor start to the season last week with an opening weekend 0-3 defeat against newly promoted Loughgall which was not the start of the season they wouldβve wanted. However, in Carrick, they face another side expected to be closer to the bottom of the table this season again so another chance for points.
π¨ π‘ππ«π§ π ππ§ππ π¨
π @CarrickRangers (A)
ποΈ Loughview Leisure Arena, Carrickfergus
ποΈ π§πππππ§π¦: https://t.co/87icDroIg1
π· Pay at gate available (Β£13 / Β£9 )#SportsDirectPrem π΅βͺοΈ pic.twitter.com/BW3p4V6se0β Newry City AFC (@NewryCityAFC) August 8, 2023
Carrick will finally get their campaign under way having not played in the first weekend of the season. Last season they build on a fourth-place finish in the relegation section of the table to coming second-place in the relegation section last season. In the off-season, theyβve brought in experience from the likes of Larne and Glentoran which should stand him in good stead this season.
ππ¨ππ π§ππ π β±οΈ
Three first half goals and a late fourth earns the win for the ‘Gers this afternoon.
Thanks to all at Banbridge Town for todayβs game and best wishes for the upcoming season! π€#CRFC | #AmberArmy π β«οΈ pic.twitter.com/K47GGj2zuW
β Carrick Rangers (@CarrickRangers) August 5, 2023
Prediction
Carrick 1-1 Newry
Best Bet
Draw 12/5
Click Below For All Our Carrick v Newry Betting Odds
Cliftonville v Glenavon
When? 3.00 pm, Saturday, 12th August
Where? Solitude, Belfast
How To Watch?Β N/a
MATCH BETTING ODDS
Cliftonville can be gotten at 4/9, Glentoran are 9/2, and the draw is 5/2.
Preview
Cliftonville were another side not in action last weekend, but for me are very much an unknown quantity this season despite their Irish Cup victory against Coleraine back in February.
The appointment of Jim Magilton on the 6th of June as the new manager of the club resulted in a lot of backlash from fans of his record most recently at Dundalk. However, they have bought well with Ben Wilson from Brighton and Odumosu from St Patrickβs Athletic on loan.
βοΈ It’s exactly 1οΈβ£ week until Cliftonville’s Sports Direct Premiership programme commences!
β‘οΈ https://t.co/k3URX0hyQh pic.twitter.com/yREjwll5gE
β Cliftonville FC (@cliftonvillefc) August 5, 2023
Glenavon will be disappointed with their league opener against Glenavon, in a repeat of their Europa Conference League playoff semi-final from last year where they lost 5-0 they held on to a 0-0 result until Jay Donnelly scored in the 98th minute to leave them pointless one game into the season.
This will prove another interesting test and gauge to see how far they have come on from last season.
β½ Glenavon 0-1 Glentoran β½
The Glenavon FC match day highlights are back again for the new season.
Even with the very late Glentoran winner it’s worth a watch, there are a lot of positives to take from the performance.https://t.co/c9K3CBvBv8β Glenavon FC (@Glenavon_FC) August 6, 2023
Prediction
Glenavon 0-2 Glentoran
Best Bet
Winning Margin Glentoran By Exactly 2 Goals
Click Below For All Our Glenavon v Glentoran Betting Odds
*Prices Subject To Fluctuation
Remember, always gamble responsibly. Hereβs ourΒ Safer Gambling Guide.
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