Glentoran vs Crusaders – Prediction, Preview & Odds

We have a Glentoran vs Crusaders prediction and preview plus betting odds for you ahead of their titanic clash on Saturday afternoon.

Glentoran vs Crusaders Match Info

Venue: The Oval, Belfast

When? 3.00 pm, Saturday 19^th August

What Channel? N/a

Glentoran vs Crusaders Odds

Glentoran – 20/23

Crusaders  – 11/4

Draw – 12/5

Glentoran have two wins from their opening two matches and will be hoping to make home advantage count and make that three from their opening four and are 20/23 to do so. Crusaders are an attractive 11/4 to make it three wins from three, while the draw can be gotten at 12/5.

Glentoran have two wins from their opening two matches and will be hoping to make home advantage count and make that three from their opening four and are 20/23 to do so. Crusaders are an attractive 11/4 to make it three wins from three, while the draw can be gotten at 12/5.

Our Irish Premiership Outright Odds can be found here

Preview–Glentoran vs Crusaders

Glentoran’s Form

Glentoran finished in third place last season, three points behind Linfield in second and nine points behind League winners Larne.

Interestingly this was achieved despite managerial upheaval with Mick McDermott replaced by Rodney McAree on 17 January 2023 and he guided them to European qualification.

However, McAree departed in June 2023 and was controversially replaced by former Linfield manager, Warren Feeney whose appointment was questioned due to the club’s historic rivalry with Linfield and a considerable lack of success.

The club have strengthened in the off-season though despite Conor McMenamin going to  St Mirren, the additions of Fuad Sule, and Daire O’Connor and the return of Patrick McClean amongst others making them another interesting team to watch this season.

Glentoran have had a decent start to the season, following their dramatic European exit 13-14 on penalties, they escaped a European hangover with a 0-1 win over Glenavon in their opening match. They had a narrow 1-2 defeat against Larne in their next match before beating Loughgall 0-1 on Monday Night.

Crusaders Form

Crusaders had a disappointing league season last year finishing in fifth place sixteen points behind Larne but that has been a consistent theme for the club in recent years. However, the club’s potential is evidenced in their Cup performances. In May 2023, Crusaders won their second successive  Irish Cup when they beat Ballymena United, 4-0 Stephen Baxter has been in charge of the club since 2005, a remarkable feat in modern football

In the off-season, Crusaders have strengthened particularly at the back with experienced defender Jimmy Callacher coming in from Linfield, and Mall Smith from Glentoran two names who will strengthen their overall squad.

Crusaders currently lie in fourth place ahead of Glentoran on goal difference of six points with two wins from their two matches. Following their dramatic 5-4 on aggregate European exit to Rosenberg, they have continued in sold form with a 1-2 victory against Ballymena and a 2-0 win against Dungannon.  However, Glentoran at home should prove a much stiffer test of their season credentials.

📺 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦#SportsDirectPrem 🏆@CrusadersFC pick up their first home win of the season with victory against @DgnSwifts. pic.twitter.com/w7xtV6u6Wv

— NI Football League (@OfficialNIFL) August 16, 2023

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Key Players To Watch

Daire O’Connor                                   

The attacking midfielder who has previously for UCD, Cork City and Cliftonville, returned to the Irish Premiership this summer following a frustrating spell with Ayr United in Scotland. Don’t let that fool you though Daire is a player of tremendous quality who could prove the difference-maker for Glentoran this season! He hasn’t started too bad either with two goals and an assist in his first five competitive games at the club.

🎬 𝙄𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙜𝙪𝙚 𝙐𝙣𝙘𝙪𝙩@daireoconnor wins it! 💥@Glentoran secure three points against @LoughgallFC at Lakeview Park.#SportsDirectPrem pic.twitter.com/DCCcjMvUS7

— NI Football League (@OfficialNIFL) August 15, 2023

Paul Heatley

What a man! Paul despite being 36 years old 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 three goals and one assist in 540 minutes. In the league, he has a goal and an assist in two games and shows little signs of letting up just yet!

⚽️ Paul Heatley's 2⃣2⃣5⃣ club goals by competition.
1⃣6⃣0⃣ Premiership
2⃣0⃣ Championship
1⃣5⃣ Irish Cup
8⃣ League Cup
7⃣ Co Antrim Shield
5⃣ Europa League
4⃣ Intermediate Cup
3⃣ Scottish Challenge Cup
1⃣ Europa Conference League
1⃣ Setanta Cup
1⃣ Charity Shield pic.twitter.com/9GOMwFmPuq

— Marshall Gillespie (@NIStats) December 8, 2022

Glentoran vs Crusaders Head-to-Head Results

Glentoran have 8 wins;  5 draws have taken place and Crusaders have 23 wins. How have the last five games gone?

29 April 2023 Premiership Championship Group  Crusaders 1-2 Glentoran

4 March 2023   Irish Cup  Crusaders 1-0 Glentoran

30  January 2023 Premiership  Glentoran 2-0 Crusaders

3 December 2022 Premiership Crusaders  3-2  Glentoran

19 August 2022 Premiership Championship Group Glentoran 3-1 Crusaders

Glentoran vs Crusader Prediction

Prediction: Glentoran 2-2  Crusaders

Best Bet:   Draw 12/5

This will be an interesting clash with both sides both level with six points on the table (albeit Crusaders have one less game played) this will be a tougher test for Crusaders though especially not having home advantage and I can see this being a draw.

Click Below For All Our Glentoran v Crusaders Betting Odds

*Prices Subject To Fluctuation

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