Cliftonville @ 8/11 - The table toppers will be hoping to continue their tremendous away form of 7-2-0 especially with Linfield snapping at their heels. They face a Dungannon side who have lost numerous players in the past month or so including McCluskey who decided to swtch codes and play GAA for Fermanagh. Another of their main players Shane McCabe was signed by Glentoran. Dungannon also had the joys of seeing Glentoran reduced to 10 men in last weeks Irish Cup game at 0-0 however still went on to be defeated 2-0. I Fancy Cliftonville to get another win their quest for the Gibson Cup.
Glentoran @ 4/9 - Some would think the Glens are out of the title race, currently 7 points off Cliftonville however a lot of things can happen between now and the end of the season. Im not too fond of the price but i can see nothing else other than a Glentoran win even though the Harbour Rats have picked up in the past month with a new manager. The Glens should have too much fire power for Larne.
Portadown @ 8/11 - In the past month or so the Ports have come out of the slump they had been in. They sit high in the form table and although very lucky to prgress against amateurs Downpatrick in the cup last week they'll be eager to piut that behind them and get another 3 points on the board. In the league theyve won 3 out of their last 4 including a slim 2-1 loss against Cliftonville having led for most of the game. Although Armagh defeated basement side Limavady 3-0 2 weeks ago against the stronger teams in the league they have struggled and i expect Saturday to be no different.
Linfield @ 8/13 Its hard to oppose the bluemen who are as usual in the hunt for another league title. They fought back from 2-1 down in the final 5 minutes of the CIS cup against Crusaders to win 3-2. They read 6-1-2 on their travels and face a Ballymena outfit who havent been their best in recent weeks. Their last results have been 2-2 with crusaders at home following being dumped out of the cup by newry on penalties then defeats against portadown and cliftonville. They havent been disgraced in any of their defeats but Linfield's class should prevail and they know they must keep the heat up on Cliftonville.
I also see slight value in backing Glenavon at 7/4 away to Donegal Celtic. DC are terrible at home with 1-2-6 while Glenavon save their best for away days reading 3-2-5. With new manager Cochrane getting a welcomed 2-0 home win over Stute last time out he'll be desperate to get more points on the board.
Distillery at Evens could win but in their last 3 home league games theyve drawn 2 of them to weaker sides in Institute and Glenavon although recovered last time at home to defeat Coleraine 1-0.
Newry at the moment are simply woeful with one of the worst form record in the league at present. I was at the game last saturday against Division 1 oufit Dundela and in truth we were lucky to get a relay which we scrapped through on Tuesday night. I couldnt touch us at 11/8 although we are a much better side than we are showing at present. Theres a few players returning tomorrow in Cullen Feeney and Garret and that should hopefully propell us to getting 3 points however i could back us nor back Institue who needed a replay to dispose of Ballyclare midweek.
Unbeaten in their last 3 at home Coleraine should beat basement boys Limavady at 8/11. I was impressed the way they played when beating us 2-0 at home and seem to be improving this past few weeks.
Ill post later my final picks and hopefully it will be a money making weekend
