Sports Direct Premiership - Coleraine v Larne (Sunday September 1, kick-off, 2.15pm)
LARNE are set to compete in the first match of their 2024/25 campaign when they face Coleraine on Sunday on Matchday five of the Sports Direct Premiership.
The defending champions will travel to The Showgrounds for their first league match this season after many of their previous games were postponed due to the squad’s obligations in Europe.
This week Tiernan Lynch’s side will continue their journey in the Europa Conference League when they host Gibraltar team, Lincoln Red Imps in a second leg play-offs encounter on Thursday August 29. They will be need to overturn a 2 - 1 defeat in the first leg to secure qualification to the next round.
The Inver Reds will be expected to make a quick turnaround as they prepare for their weekend match-up in the Premiership against the fifth placed Bannsiders, who have failed to score in their last two contests and most recently suffered a 2-0 loss to Glenavon on matchday four.
Portadown v Linfield (Friday August 30, kick-off: 7.45pm)
Linfield will aim to add to their four game unbeaten run which sees them two points clear at the top of the table following a dominant 5-1 thrashing of Loughgall at home in their last league appearance.
They will travel to Portadown who will be hoping to avoid further turmoil after a dismal start to their 2024/25 campaign, attaining two losses and one draw in their first three matches which currently places them tenth in the league.
Niall Currie’s men will have a difficult task of fending off a ruthless Linfield attack who have already scored 13 goals in four matches this season with significant contributions coming from league top scorer, Joel Cooper, who has claimed four goals in four games thus far.
Ballymena United v Glenavon (Friday August 30, kick-off, 7.45pm)
Two struggling Premiership sides will meet at the Ballymena Showgrounds on Friday as Jim Ervin’s side host Glenavon in the Sky Blues’ search for their first point of the season.
Ballymena remain at the very bottom of the table after another defeat to Dungannon Swifts in their last outing. They will be expecting a difficult challenge as they welcome a renewed Glenavon squad who secured a convincing 2 - 0 victory over Coleraine on matchday four to gain their first three points of their campaign.
Stephen McDonnell’s men will be hoping this result was the start of a positive run of form in their bid to escape the lower table position.
Glentoran v Cliftonville (Saturday August 31, kick-off, 3pm)
Cliftonville dropped their first points of the season against Crusaders in a 1-1 draw on matchday four to fall two points behind league leaders Linfield and they will be looking to make a statement when they travel to face fourth placed Glentoran on Saturday.
The Reds have many threats in front of goal, with Ryan Curran and Joe Gormley both having two goals to their name so far this season. However, it will be no easy task overcoming the Glens at the Bet McLean Oval.
- Two undefeated title challengers meet in Premiership contest as Crusaders host CliftonvilleOpens in new window
- Linfield and Cliftonville look to go three for three in perfect start to the PremiershipOpens in new window
- David Healy signs new deal with Linfield amid interest from Raith RoversOpens in new window
Declan Devine’s squad are unbeaten in their last three games and will be bolstered by a high scoring offence who have scored five goals in their last three matches.
Loughgall v Dungannon Swifts (Saturday August 31, kick-off, 3pm)
Sixth-placed Loughgall will be hoping to bounce back from a dismal performance on matchday four when they lost 5-1 to Linfield. They will be set to host Dungannon Swifts at Lakeview Park who sit closely behind them in seventh in what may be a compelling mid table encounter.
The Swifts will be entering this match with added confidence with a narrow 1-0 victory over Ballymena in their most recent league appearance to secure their first win of the season.
Crusaders v Carrick Rangers (Saturday August 31, kick-off, 3pm)
Another exciting league game will feature the undefeated Crusaders as they are set to host Carrick Rangers at Seaview in Premiership action this weekend.
The Crues remain compelling contenders for the title after they battled Cliftonville to a 1-1 draw in their last outing.
They will be aiming to add to the Rangers woes as the Carrickfergus side have failed to gain points since their matchday one victory at the start of August.
There will be a lot on the line for all teams involved in matchday five as every Premiership team gets set to compete for points over the weekend.
Sports Direct Premiership Friday 30 August (Kick-off, 7.45pm)
Ballymena United v Glenavon
Portadown v Linfield
Sports Direct Premiership Saturday 31 August (Kick-off, 3pm)
Crusaders v Carrick Rangers
Glentoran v Cliftonville
Loughgall v Dungannon Swifts
Playr-Fit Championship Saturday 31 August (kick-off, 3pm)
Annagh United v Institute
Armagh City v Ards
Ballyclare Comrades v HW Welders
Bangor v Limavady United
Dundela v Ballinamallard United
Newington v Newry City
Sports Direct Premiership Sunday 1 September (Kick-off, 2.15pm)
Coleraine v Larne
