- Cliftonville won 3-1 in February 2026 but lost 3-1 in August 2025 in the last two meetings of the clubs.
- Since 2008, Cliftonville have won 11 of the 14 meetings with Bangor winning just one and drawing two.
Tight contest on the cards at Clandeboye
Cliftonville start Saturday's Premiership 2026-2027 fixture as 81/100 market favourites against Bangor who are listed at 279/100 with the draw at 127/50. The Reds are worthy favourites based on recent form, which has been much superior to that of their hosts.
Jim Magilton has got Cliftonville playing with structure and control as they are a possession-based team with a threat through the middle as well as a direct threat from their forwards. The Reds line up in a 3-4-1-2 formation and, with wing-backs, can get the wide areas overloaded and the strikers lots of food.
Cliftonville have beaten Moyola Park, Warrenpoint and Newington during pre-season and opened their Premiership account with a 2-1 win over Crusaders. Joe Gormley is their main man and is the proven finisher who can give them a touch of class and a big-game edge.
Bangor are solid and can make it tough
Lee Feeney's side will be a tough, compact and physical unit that should be able to mix it up and will be comfortable playing in a 4-4-2 or a back three. Bangor can sit deep and try to catch Cliftonville on the break so this could be a chess game rather than a shootout.
Ben Arthurs will provide presence up top, Gareth Deane is a steady presence at the back and the addition of Ben Cushnie should give them a bit more bite in the final third. Their form has been mixed with a 1-1 draw at Dergview and a 2-1 win at Ballinamallard showing promise, but not enough consistency to suggest they can win this game.
Cliftonville have three points on the board in the Premiership and arrive here with the psychological boost of being just about at the top of the table already. They should nick this one and the odds should be on the away side for a close match.
Back the Reds to maintain their early-season momentum
The odds-on price reflects the form of the two sides, but also the recent history of the fixture and the fact that Bangor are yet to make their mark in the new season. The hosts can be dangerous on the counter-attack, so we like the over 2.5 goals and both teams to score - yes odds, but if the Seasiders stay compact and give little away, then a draw is still in play.
A 1-0 or 2-1 Cliftonville victory looks to fit the numbers best as the weather - which should be cloudy and 16-18°C - is not suitable for either team to be playing free-flowing football. Set pieces and second balls will be crucial and Cliftonville have the quality to nick it.
