- Glentoran FC are unbeaten in 4 home games and are coming into this match on the back of a two-game winning streak.
- Larne are the stingiest away team in the Premiership Championship Group 2026, having won 12 and conceded just 12 goals from 17 away games.
A top of the table clash
Larne have 79 points from 36 games, just 3 more than Glentoran FC in 2nd place, with this Premiership Championship Group 2026 top of the table contest potentially defining who finishes in 1st place. Glentoran FC have won 3 and drawn 2 of their last 5 Premiership Championship Group 2026 games while Larne have won 3 and lost 2 of their last 5, bouncing back from a 1-4 home defeat to Coleraine FC by beating Linfield FC 2-0 away in their previous game.
Glentoran FC are the favourites at 107/100, with Larne 233/100 and a draw 54/25. Glentoran will start on top of the odds but they will find Larne a tough nut to crack on Friday.
An old fashioned battle
Glentoran manager Warren Feeney has encouraged a high-tempo, possession-based style of football and the Northern Irish side will come out strong on Friday, looking to press high and dominate the ball, which can leave them open to the counter and sometimes stifles their finishing. Larne, on the other hand, are a far more defensive side under Nathan Rooney and they will set up to frustrate the home side.
This should be a chess match, with Glentoran coming out to dominate the game and Larne looking to absorb pressure and hit on the break.
Who is the best bet?
Glentoran have a good home record this season in the Premiership Championship Group 2026, winning 11, drawing 5 and losing just 2 of their 17 fixtures at The Oval. Larne, however, have won 12 of their 17 away games in the league and conceded just 12 times. Under 2.5 goals looks like a good pick at 33/50 here.
Larne won the last meeting between these two sides 4-1 away in the Northern Ireland Cup 2025/2026 and will be confident that they can claim all 3 points on Friday. Glentoran, however, have won their last 2 games and will be coming into this game full of confidence. Across the last two head-to-heads, Larne have 1 win and 1 draw, with Glentoran yet to beat them.
Who will win the top of the table showdown?
The top of the table battle should be a close encounter and, despite both teams’ impressive season so far, could be settled by the finest of margins. Glentoran’s home advantage and the fact that the hosts will come out and attempt to control the match may be enough to see them over the line in this one.
Glentoran’s best chance of success on Friday comes from their dynamic midfield trio, who set the pace, create chances and score goals when their more advanced team-mates fail to find their range. Larne’s main threat has been Andy Ryan, who has netted 3 of their last 8 goals, a clinical edge up front that could be decisive.
