Crusaders vs Larne prediction, H2H & Probable Line-ups – January 7, 2025
Dillan George
Dailysports's expert
Translated by the editors
On Tuesday, January 7, in the rescheduled match of the 2nd round of the Northern Ireland Premiership, Crusaders will host Larne. The match kicks off at 20:45 Central European Time. Here’s a prediction for the number of goals in this encounter.
Interesting facts about the match and head-to-head history
- Crusaders have not conceded a single goal in their last three matches.
- Larne has scored just one goal in their previous three games across all competitions.
- Larne has won two consecutive away matches in the Premiership.
- In the 13th round of this season, Crusaders and Larne drew 1-1.
- Crusaders have won just one of their last five matches against Larne.
Match preview
Crusaders are fighting to secure a top-six finish and a spot in the championship group at the season’s conclusion. After 22 rounds, they are in sixth place with 31 points, but their position is precarious as Ballymena United, in seventh, also has 31 points.
The "Hatchets" are not in the best form heading into this match. They drew 0-0 with Carrick Rangers in their previous game and managed a 2-0 win over Cliftonville before that, which ended a three-match losing streak.
Larne achieved a sensational title win last season and made history this summer by becoming the first Northern Irish team to reach the main round of a European competition. Due to their participation in the Conference League, Larne has played six fewer matches than Crusaders, making it challenging to predict their end-of-season goals.
Currently, Larne sits in ninth place, but they are only five points behind the top six. With six games in hand, Larne could close the gap on their competitors.
In their previous Premiership match, Larne drew 0-0 with Carrick Rangers. Before that, they defeated Dungannon Swifts (1-0) and played to a 1-1 draw with Cliftonville.
Probable lineups
- Crusaders: Tuffey; Callagher, O’Rourke, Larmour, Blayney; Weir, Lowry, Jevvit-White; Owens, Clarke, Nixon.
- Larne: Ferguson; Bolger, Want, Todd, Donnelly; Graham, Randall, Cosgrove; Gallagher, Ryan, Lusty.
Crusaders vs Larne prediction
Do not expect a high-scoring spectacle from these two teams, particularly Larne, who have struggled to find the net this season. My prediction: fewer than 3 goals will be scored in this match.
