Crusaders v Cliftonville Prediction, Preview & Odds – NIFL Premiership
We have a Crusaders v Cliftonville preview plus all the betting odds for you ahead of this big Monday night game in Northern Ireland.
Crusaders v Cliftonville Match Info
Venue: Seaview, Belfast
When? 7.45 pm, Monday September 18th
What Channel? Sky Sports Football
Crusaders v Cliftonville Odds
Match Betting Odds
Crusaders – 20/23
Cliftonville – 5/2
Draw – 13/5
Crusaders are currently 20/23 favourites to win their fifth game of the season. Cliftonville have lost two of their last three games and are priced at 5/2 to win this game while the draw can be backed at 13/5.
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— Crusaders Football Club (@CrusadersFC) September 14, 2023
Preview–Crusaders vs Cliftonville
Crusaders Form
Crusaders look on course this season to improve on their fifth place finish from last season where they were sixteen points behind Larne come season’s end. However, the club has always had great potential. Back in May they won their second successive Irish Cup defeating Ballymena United, 4-0.
Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter has been in charge of the club since 2005, an unheard-of feat in modern football. The club made six signings during the summer transfer window including experienced defender Jimmy Callacher from Linfield. Callacher has played the most minutes of the new signings so far with 378.
Before the league season commenced Crusaders performed admirably in Europe, getting narrowly knocked out of the Europa Conference League 5-4 on aggregate to Rosenberg.
Crues are currently third in the table with four wins and two draws in their first six league games of the season. On top of that, they have the most goals scored in the league with twenty with and also the joint-best defensive record having only conceded four goals.
Last time out for Crusaders they drew 0-0 with Glentoran in the County Antrim Shield First round before losing out narrowly to 2-4 on penalties.
🏆 @SportsDirectUK Prem
⚽️ @CrusadersFC v @cliftonvillefc @OfficialNIFL
📌 Seaview
🗓 Monday 18th September
⌚️ 7.45pm
👛 www.crusadersfc com
👛 Harry D's 11am-11pm
🔴⚫️ Let's see you out in numbers
🎶 Get the songs going
👍 See you at Seaview
C'mon the Crues @BoyleSports pic.twitter.com/xyEyAGjtui— Crusaders Football Club (@CrusadersFC) September 14, 2023
Cliftonville’s Form
Cliftonville came into this season following a mixed campaign last time out. The highlight of the season for Cliftonville was their Irish Cup victory in February against Coleraine which came via a penalty shootout.
In the league however they finished a disappointing fourth place. That was a two place drop from the previous season and fifteen points behind winners Larne.
The appointment of Jim Magilton on the 6th of June as the new manager of the club resulted in a lot of backlash from fans due to his record with other clubs.
Cliftonville have recruited well with the additions of Ben Wilson from Brighton and Odumosu from St Patrick’s Athletic on loan. Although that hasn’t been enough to replace the influence of the departing Sean Moore who left for West Ham.
The Reds started the season in rampant fashion beating Glenavon 3-0, Newry City 0-3 and then Carrick 4-0 to make it nine points from nine in their opening three games. However, results have been poor since then with just one point in their last three games. In those three games Cliftonville lost 2-1 against Linfield, drew 1-1 with Larne and lost 1-0 against Glentoran.
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Key Players To Watch
Paul Heatley
Ageing like a fine wine! Despite being 36 years old Heatley is still going strong for Crusaders over a decade since signing from Carrick Rangers during the 12/13 season.
In all competitions this season he has five goals and two assists from 864 minutes.
Ben Wilson
Since signing from Brighton on a Free Transfer The former Northern Ireland U19 International (now 21) has scored four goals in his seven games for the club.
🥅 GOAL OF THE MONTH
Ben Wilson's curling finish against Larne has been voted August's top strike by Cliftonville fans.
➡️ https://t.co/EvfqLvdFaW pic.twitter.com/CA7KnPzXce
— Cliftonville FC (@cliftonvillefc) September 1, 2023
Crusaders vs Cliftonville Head-to-Head Results
Per FootyStats, 42 Matches have taken place between Crusaders and Cliftonville. Crusaders have won 21 of the games (50%), 13 draws have taken place (31%) while Cliftonville have won 8 times (19%).
From their matches, 76% of them have had over 1.5 Goals, and 52% of them (22/42) had over 2.5 goals which is identical to the record of BTTS.
Crusaders v Cliftonville Prediction & Best Bet
Prediction: Crusaders 3-0 Cliftonville
Crusaders have been brilliant this season, the league’s top scorers with the joint-best defence. Cliftonville on the other hand have been in ropey form recently and will need to be at their best to stand a chance in this one.
Crusaders should win this one comfortably and continue their flying form.
Best Bet: Crusaders To Win Both Halves @ 5/1
Click Below For All Our Crusaders vs Cliftonville Odds
*Prices subject to fluctuation
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