Larne FC vs Cliftonville FC Prediction: A victory is the only option for Larne

In the second game of the NIFL Championship round, Larne will host Cliftonville at Inver Park. Larne suffered a defeat to Crusaders in their most recent league fixture, while Cliftonville was held to a 2-2 draw by Coleraine. This match holds significant importance for Larne, as they need a victory or a draw to surpass Linfield in the league standings.

Our prediction for this game suggests a tight and very cagy game with few goals as both teams will be cautious in their style of play. For a detailed analysis and strategic insights into this captivating matchup, delve into our comprehensive betting tips below, tailored to assist bettors in making informed decisions.

Larne FC (2nd)

Form: LWWDW

Larne's impressive 23-game unbeaten run came to an end with a defeat to Crusaders in their most recent league fixture. The loss has put their title aspirations in jeopardy, as they are now second-placed in the league table. To keep their hopes alive for NIFL championship glory, Larne cannot afford another defeat in their upcoming game against Cliftonville.

As Larne continues their determined quest for Northern Ireland league supremacy, they remain steadfast in their pursuit. With the title within reach, Larne cannot afford any missteps at this crucial juncture. Ahead of their upcoming clash against Cliftonville this Saturday, their main focus is on securing a favorable outcome to maintain their position at the summit of the league standings.

Undoubtedly progressing favorably, the defending champions boast an impressive record of 25 wins, 7 draws, and two losses from the 34 league matches played this season. Leading the team's goal-scoring efforts, Andy Ryan and Lee Bonis have been instrumental in Larne's pursuit of success in the Northern Ireland Premier League.

Cliftonville FC (3rd)

Form: DLWLL

Cliftonville continues to grapple with inconsistencies at this crucial stage in the NIFL league. They have managed to secure only one win in their last five league games, along with three losses and a draw. Nevertheless, they will be hoping for a positive outcome as they face Larne on Saturday.

Boasting an admirable record of 22 wins, 5 draws, and 7 losses from 34 games, Cliftonville has scored over 40 goals this season. Spearheading their goal-scoring efforts is Ben Wilson, who has impressively found the net over 17 times. With Wilson in exceptional form, there's anticipation that he may further enhance his goal tally in the forthcoming match against Larne.

Head-To-Head Statistics

A critical look at the last 11 games between them produced 6 wins for Larne,3 wins for Cliftonville, and 2 draws.

Expert Betting Tips

Both Larne FC and Cliftonville are currently enjoying good form, with Larne desperately needing a victory or a draw in this game to keep their title hopes alive, while Cliftonville continues to face inconsistencies in the league this season. The upcoming match between these two teams promises to be highly competitive, with both sides likely to find the back of the net, as indicated by odds of 1.60.

Moreover, recent encounters between these teams have seen a trend of high-scoring games, with four out of the last seven matches witnessing more than 2.5 goals, and at least one team scoring at least two goals in those matches. Given this pattern, it would be wise to bet on at least one team scoring more than 1.5 goals. Considering the competitiveness of the match and the utmost importance for Larne, we believe that Larne will avoid defeat in this game.