Soccer betting preview: Glentoran welcomes Linfield in what could be a tight duel

There's local pride at stake here, as these teams are practically neighbours. Expect lots of passion from both players and supporters.

It’s busy days for these teams as both were in action only a few days ago. There’s no rest for the wicked, or in this case; no rest for Glentoran and Linfield.

Glentoran form and stats

Glentoran are steadily winning Premiership games and points here at The Oval. 8 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats is the summary from 13 games. Hopes of three in a row are alive for Glentoran after consecutive victories at their own ground.

The home team returns to The Oval after drawing with Portadown (placed 11th) on their last time out; the game ended 1-1.

Before that game, the 1-0 home victory against Warrenpoint Town.

This is expected to be a close game, with Glentoran perhaps considered small favourites due to their home advantage. Looking back at earlier matches similar to this one (expected to be close with Glentoran as a small favourite), we find six games. Glentoran has won two of these, drawn one and lost three.

Goals decide football matches and Glentoran are scoring many of them at home; 27 on target from 13 league matches. 17 goals have been conceded.

Linfield form and stats

The story so far for the visiting team on their Premiership travels is 7 wins, 4 draws and 2 defeats.

Linfield are travelling after their nice 2-1 home win in the match against Larne (placed 4th).

It was a defeat before that one as the away game against Coleraine wasn't a success with a 0-3 loss.

So, this is expected to be a close game, an even contest. Looking at earlier matches with Linfield playing away and similar expectations, we found eight relevant matches. Results were three Linfield wins, two draws and three defeats.

Linfield has displayed an ability to score goals in away matches in the league this season, 25 goals from 13 games. They concede less than a goal on average per away game (12 so far). It's worth mentioning that 6 of these goals has been conceded in their last three away matches.

Head 2 Head

Here's the final score when the participants met earlier this season; Linfield - Glentoran 1-1. McMenamin (Glentoran) was sent off by the referee when these teams previously met this season. H2H stats regardless of arena (last ten matches): Glentoran three wins, three draws and Linfield four victories. As for goals, six matches ended with three or more goals (over 2,5), four games had two or less. The matches between these teams sometimes lean towards being hostile, having seen 5 sending-offs from the last ten duels.

Top Goalscorers

J. Donnelly 21 goals

C. Manzinga 17 goals

C. McMenamin 13 goals

Glentoran missing players

Linfield missing players