Colin Coates’ Premiership Match Predictions for This Weekend

For the Ballymena v Portadown match (Friday, 19:45 GMT), Colin Coates observed that both teams have displayed reasonable recent form, with Portadown gaining confidence from their last weekend’s result. He noted that Portadown had achieved eight consecutive wins before a series of narrow losses, expressing hope for a return to winning ways. No prediction was offered for this fixture. Regarding Cliftonville v Crusaders (Friday, 19:45 GMT, live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website), Coates described the north Belfast derby as arguably the league’s second-largest fixture, typically producing an exciting game with numerous goals. He highlighted that both sides have had strong starts, with Cliftonville recently securing a significant victory. Coates suggested that Declan Caddell is still in the process of identifying an optimal starting lineup, but emphasized that the team remains formidable, particularly in such matches. His prediction for the score was 2-2. For Coleraine v Dungannon Swifts (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound), Coates indicated that Coleraine’s home advantage could provide them with an edge in what is expected to be a close contest. He praised Rodney McAree’s squad, noting their impressive young talent and their emergence as a surprise package this season. Coates remarked that despite Dungannon’s current form, Coleraine exhibits an appealing style of football and might narrowly win this game. He predicted a score of 2-1. Coates deemed the Glentoran V Larne match (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound) a challenging game to predict. He pointed out Larne’s inconsistent form and their struggle to find rhythm due to pressure from European defeats and squad rotation. However, he acknowledged their capability to defeat any opponent on their best day. Coates anticipated that Declan Devine would be striving to secure points at home on Saturday, aiming to build momentum. His prediction was a 1-1 draw. Coates identified the Loughgall v Glenavon fixture (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound) as a crucial game for both teams, situated at the lower end of the table. He noted Loughgall’s boosted confidence following their win last week and Glenavon’s positive results against some top-tier sides. Coates commented that Glenavon sometimes needs to convert draws into wins and would be looking to achieve this objective this weekend. No prediction was provided for this fixture. For Carrick Rangers V Linfield (Sunday, 12:30 GMT), Coates observed that Carrick Rangers have experienced a change in form since Stephen Baxter’s arrival, which is reflected in their recent results. He added that Linfield, with its squad depth and experience, is known for its strong recovery after a defeat. Coates expressed his expectation for Linfield to win in a competitive match. His prediction was 1-2. Ballymena United player Colin Coates is scheduled to join Michael McNamee on the Sportsound program this weekend. The broadcast will be available on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Ulster, and the BBC Sport website, commencing at 14:00 GMT on Saturday.