© Presseye
James McLaughlin scores for Coleraine against Crusaders in the 2020 BetMcLean League Cup Final.
The games keep coming thick and fast as there are five big games in gameweek five of the Danske Bank Premiership season including one broadcast live on Sky Sports.
(venue: Ballymena Showgrounds; kick-off: 7.45pm)
Only goal difference separates these two sides after four rounds of fixtures as three points would be hugely desirable to both managers. Ballymena United boss David Jeffrey will undoubtedly be frustrated with his side’s second half capitulation against Crusaders on Saturday at the Showgrounds as the Braidmen go into this game off the back of three successive defeats. Midfielder Josh Kelly returns from suspension for the Braidmen.
Glenavon played their part in an eight goal thriller on Saturday at home to Coleraine, but despite coming from behind, they couldn’t capitalise on the extra man to find their first win of the campaign, as the Lurgan Blues have drawn three of their first four league games. Gary Hamilton’s men edged the three league meetings last season, winning twice including the last meeting at the Showgrounds back in January by three goals without reply.
The match is available to stream from ballymenaunitedfc.tv for £7.50
(venue: Belfast Loughshore Hotel Arena; kick-off: 7.45pm)
Niall Currie welcomes his hometown and former club to Carrickfergus on Tuesday evening, eager to move off the bottom of the standings in the early season table. Rangers picked up their first point and clean sheet of the campaign against Dungannon Swifts on Saturday and will look to go one better against the league newcomers.
Portadown return to East Antrim much stronger than the side that lost convincingly over two legs in the 2018/19 Championship promotion playoffs, in the last meeting of the sides. A spirited performance against Linfield may not have been rewarded with any points but an encouragement to supporters that the Ports are capable of competing in the top division once again. Christopher Crane is suspended for the visitors.
The match is available to stream live from 247.tv/niprem for £7
(venue: Seaview; kick-off: 7.45pm)
The game of round is live on Sky Sports across the UK from Seaview as both Crusaders and Coleraine look to close in on the leading pack with three valuable early season points up for grabs. Crusaders rolled back the years with a ruthless second half display against Ballymena United on Saturday, scoring four goals after the interval to get back to winning ways. This will be the first meeting of the clubs since the BetMcLean Cup final back in February, when Coleraine came out on top, winning 2-1 at Windsor Park.
Oran Kearney must tackle the club’s alarming disciplinary record this season if his squad is going to mount a serious title challenge – the Bannsiders have had a man sent off in their last two games and will now be without defender Gareth McConaghie – evergreen Steven Douglas likely to feature from the start having marked his fourth decade of Irish League appearances with his appearance from the bench on Saturday. Influential Coleraine midfielder Stephen Lowry once again comes up against younger brother Philip of Crusaders in the middle of the park.
The match is available live on Sky Sports Football from 7.35pm (subscription required)
(venue: Stangmore Park; kick-off: 7.45pm)
Kris Lindsay’s Swifts are the only team this season to fail to find the back of the net, they will look to break their goalscoring duck at home to Cliftonville on Tuesday night. The Tyrone club are yet to win but picked up a point in their trip to Carrick Rangers on Saturday.
Cliftonville moved within just three points of the top of the Premiership table following their win against Warrenpoint Town at Solitude at the weekend. The victory came at a cost though, with forward Michael McCrudden the latest Reds player to pick up an injury this season. It ended in a draw back in February in the previous meeting between the clubs.
The match is available to stream live from 247.tv/niprem for £7
(venue: Milltown; kick-off: 7.45pm)
Warrenpoint return to Milltown in search of their first home league win of 2020 and come into this game of the back of a 3-0 reverse against Cliftonville on Saturday. The ‘Point lost all three games against Larne last season, the most recent being the 1-0 defeat at Inver Park back in February.
Larne may have sacrificed their 100% record in Saturday evening’s draw against Glentoran but they could move top of the Danske Bank Premiership with a win on Tuesday, given that Linfield and Glentoran’s scheduled game was postponed owing to the internationals. The Invermen will be full of confidence going into the trip to County Down with only Ben Tilney and Conor McKendry as injury doubts for the NI Football Writers’ Manager of the Month for October - Tiernan Lynch.
The match is available to stream live from 247.tv/niprem for £7
