- The main odds on this North Belfast Derby make Cliftonville clear favourites at 12/25, ahead of Crusaders at 96/25 and the draw at 18/5.
- Both teams have had an impressive pre-season, with Cliftonville winning 4 and losing 2 of their 6 named friendlies.
- Cliftonville have the recent edge in the North Belfast rivalry, having won 5-2 on 21 Feb 2026 and 1-0 on 10 Mar 2026, with Crusaders' only recent 2-1 win coming on 26 Dec 2025.
Solitude set for derby showdown
The 2026-2027 BOYLE Sports Premiership table begins with both Cliftonville and Crusaders on 0 games and 0 points, but the North Belfast bragging rights are already on the line on Friday as these bitter rivals meet at Solitude.
It has been a rivalry over the 85 matches played since 2004, with Crusaders winning 35, Cliftonville 30 and 20 draws. Crusaders have the edge, but Cliftonville are the current kings of the hill, having beaten Crusaders 5-2 on 21 Feb 2026 and 1-0 on 10 March 2026.
They must therefore be the favourites with the bookies, although the odds available for this derby do reflect the recent history or the fact that Crusaders are well prepared for this game.
Cliftonville’s possession play
Jim Magilton's Cliftonville side are a possession-first side, with a healthy mix of senior heads and academy players that can roll a few of the more fluid attacking players into the same game to try and overload opponents.
The Reds have a good player for the big occasion in Joe Gormley, who was on the mark again to win the 1-0 derby at Seaview in March, and remains the club's best finisher in the box.
Rory Hale brings the swagger on set pieces and the captaincy, while Michael Glynn and Liam McStravick can both stretch the game and arrive at the far post late.
Crusaders are compact and clinical
Declan Caddell's Crusaders are the kind of side that can be a nuisance for these types of teams, however, as they are compact and direct, playing a physical 4-2-3-1 system that is designed to be organised and clinical on the break.
Elliot Dunlop will bring energy between the lines, while Musa Dibaga Nimaga will keep things tidy at the back and help keep the Boys in Green in the scrap.
Fraser Bryden was their top scorer in 2025/26 and is the sort of player who can grab a goal from nothing when the ball is in the right place.
Cliftonville are good value
Crusaders come into this Premiership curtain-raiser in solid shape after an unbeaten pre-season run.
I still feel Cliftonville have the more likely chance of taking the 3 points here, although the tight and tense nature of a derby means that the two teams could cancel each other out.
Over 2.5 goals at 23/50 and both teams to score at 29/50 look like decent bets on a lively derby, but I'd rather take Cliftonville to edge it in a 1-0 or 2-1 result.
