Following on from midweek encounters which left Larne as table toppers and three sides still pointless, this weekend’s latest NIFL instalment awaits, the action commencing tonight at the Ballymena Showgrounds at 7:45pm. 

The remaining five fixtures are set for 3pm kick offs on Saturday afternoon.

Ballymena United v Linfield

The Bannsiders were outclassed by defending champions Larne on Tuesday evening but from their three fixtures so far, will consider themselves slightly unlucky to be pointless.

Narrow 2-1 defeats, both of which they led in, to Coleraine and Crusaders will rankle but they have a chance to get going this evening against Linfield.

Albeit an inform, free-scoring Linfield who have began with a bang, beating Dungannon Swifts 3-2 and Glenavon 4-2 in midweek.

Winger Joel Cooper has been in flying form and Chris Shields’ confidence will be sky-high after his brace, perhaps their scoring potency will prove the difference tonight.

The hosts can at least welcome back experienced defender, Colin Coates to their ranks, his one-game suspension served during the week.

Cliftonville v Carrick Rangers

It has been a serene start for Cliftonville, who with new manager Jim Magilton in tow, have racked up commanding back-to-back 3-0 victories.

Last Saturdays at Solitude saw off Glenavon, Joe Gormley netting twice.  And even with Gormley injured early away to Newry City, his replacement Rory Hale stepped up superbly, scoring and assisting from the bench.

In their way next are a Rangers outfit fresh from their first win of the season, quickfire Kyle Cherry and David Cushley goals defeating Coleraine.

With the Reds finishing games off early on (both 3-0 wins had the comfortable three-goal margin at half time), Rangers must stay in the match if they are to puncture Magilton’s bubble.

Coleraine v Larne

At the Coleraine Showgrounds, a meeting of the early season pacesetters. 

Hosts Coleraine were toppled from their first-place perch by defending champions Larne who are unbeaten in three and possess attacking threats all over, forwards Andy Ryan and Lee Bonis are in lethal form, the former looking to extend his scoring streak to four matches here.

Coleraine have character though and have earned their six points so far from losing positions.

They will be without Jamie Glackin, sent off at Rangers, but will remain optimistic of halting Larne’s recently accrued momentum.

Dungannon Swifts v Loughgall

A six-pointer on paper?  Last year’s swirling-the-plughole eleventh placed side against the promoted new boys to the Premiership.

Well, although they only possess four points between them so far, there have been positives for both Dungannon Swifts and Loughgall so far.

That epic recovery to earn a priceless point at defending champions Larne has roused Swifts, who then ran Linfield very close, losing 2-3, the week’s loss at Crusaders their only scoreless outing so far.

Ben Gallagher continues to excite in their front line, Stangmore Park has been an entertaining NIFL venue so far this season.

Loughgall also began brightly, with a confident 0-3 win at Newry City but since, slender defeats to Coleraine and Glentoran means they need to get themselves on the right side of fine margins.

Glenavon v Newry City

Twenty-two points and three places separated these sides last season with the Glens aiming to get up and running on Saturday afternoon at Mourneview Park.

Winless Glenavon have had a rough first couple of fixtures, suffering late heartbreak here to bitter rivals Glentoran on the opening day before being outclassed by Cliftonville and Linfield lately.

They did though net their first goals of the season at Windsor Park, Stephen Tegagrt’s screamer and Callum Birney’s header providing hope for this encounter.

Newry have also been on the receiving end of a 3-0 chasing by the Reds but tasted victory last weekend at Carrick Rangers. 

The hard-running Lorcan Forde will prove a threat to Glenavon in a fixture both will have circled for three points.

Glentoran v Crusaders

These two teams are in fine form this August, with just one defeat in five games as they reside in the upper half of the table. 

Both had European exertions to contend with but have still started strongly, Crusaders consecutively scoring two with Adam Lecky bagging back-to-back, fine scoring form for the forward.

Since Jay Donnelly’s late, late winner at Glenavon, they bounced back from losing to Larne with a 0-1 win at Loughgall, Daire O’Connor the matchwinner in a game where Glentoran hit the woodwork twice too.

A clinical edge may be necessary to split two quality teams here, both of whom on paper, appear evenly matched, setting up an intriguing meeting at the Oval.