Kick-off 10.30am
Premier Division
CLIFTON VILLA v TAMNAHERIN CELTIC
(Lat isnagelvin No 2)
Paddy Tracey was in attendance at the Brandywell Showgrounds on Saturday last to see the huge top of the table clash between Westbank United and Creggan Swifts and the Villa manager left happy that the league title was now his team’s to lose.
Westbank’s victory may have taken them to the top of the table once again, but they also knocked Creggan Swifts out of the equation, leaving Villa with a clear run to the title, assuming of course, that they win their last two fixtures against tomorrow’s opponents and Brandywell.
Tamnaherin haven’t won a game since they lifted the Gilfillan Cup a few weeks back, but if Villa think that their opponents are already on their holidays, they could live to regret it. Full focus for Villa from here on in and the title is theirs.
Prediction: Clifton Villa to put one hand on the trophy.
BRANDYWELL CELTIC v CREGGAN SWIFTS
(at Brandywell Showgrounds)
Creggan Swifts will be without PJ Ward and Dwayne McBrearty for this clash due to the red cards dished out against Westbank last Saturday.
Indiscipline has cost n Swifts their league title, with five dismissals in the last two games alone.
Their defeat to Westbank ended their interest in the title, unless Westbank and Villa lose all their remaining games, which is highly unlikely.
Brandywell got back to winning ways over Rosemount with one of the stories of the Saturday Morning league season.
Sixteen year old Jake Morrow hit four of his side’s five goals and his will be the first name down on manager Paul Kelly’s team sheet tomorrow as a result.
One team is confident, the other is wounded, making this tough to call.
Prediction: A score draw at the Showgrounds.
Championship
STRABANE ATHLETIC v DUNGIVEN
(at Strabane)
Strabane have arrested their woeful league form of late and are back on the winning track, although they made very hard work of it against Clooney last weekend.
That they eventually saw it through to record a 6-4 win is testament to their resilience, which has been missing of late.
Their revival is likely too late to snap up the second promotion place but third place is still within reach.
There should be plenty of goals in this game against Dungiven. Neither team has been impressive defensively of late but they have had no problems finding the net at the other end.
Get ready for plenty of goalmouth action.
Prediction: Strabane to get the win.
CITY COLTS v FOYLE HARPS
(at Prehen No 1)
City Colts suffered a very untimely defeat to Sion Swifts last week and that could well ruin their title hopes this season.
That said, they still have two games in hand over their conquerors, Sion Swifts, so all is not lost as promotion is still possible.
Considering that this is their first season in the Championship, then second place and promotion is a very acceptable consolation despite then disappointment of losing out on the league title.
To make sure that happens they have to win each of their remaining games, but any slip up could let Sion in at this late stage.
This could well have been a title decider had they won last week, but now they need the points for different reasons and that could well be very difficult considering that Foyle Harps have been almost untouchable this season.
Prediction: Harps to edge it.
CLOONEY v PHOENIX ATHLETIC COLTS
(at St Columb’s No 2)
Phoenix did well to battle back for a point against Tristar last week, but they still have a long way to go if they are to make an impression on the Championship next season.
They have some young players with potential, and if they manage to retain that squad the experience they have gained this year could well stand them in good stead.
Clooney have their own problems to deal with, and they will be kicking themselves that they performed so poor defensively against Strabane last week.
They will want a clean sheet as much as the three points this week, but one out of two isn’t bad.
Prediction: Both teams to score but Clooney to win.
NEWTON HEATH v TRISTAR
(at Leafair)
It would seem that Newton Heath are running out of stamina this season.
Not so long ago they were in contention for promotion but a series of dropped points has taken them out of that picture, leaving them to battle for a four finish.
A victory over struggling Tristar this week would help them achieve that end.
Tristar are having trouble closing out games and that has cost them countless points this season. It could be the same story again this weekend.
It would be no surprise to anyone if they put on a good show, only to end up empty handed.
Prediction: Newton Heath to take the points.
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