After the saga that was Storm Darragh last weekend, an event that saw the entire cancellation of the Irish Premiership schedule, football is back on the agenda.
To kick things off on Friday evening, Crusaders host Glentoran in what is sure to be one of the ties of the weekend.
Twenty-four hours later and many eyes will be on Shamrock Park, where the in-form Portadown welcome second-placed Cliftonville.
So, as fans prepare to get back to their club grounds, it’s time to look at the runners and riders and have a go at predicting who will be singing come Saturday night.
FRIDAY (7:45PM KICK-OFF, BBC iPlayer)
Crusaders v Glentoran
Picking the winner in the weekend’s opener is incredibly difficult as neither of the sides has managed to find a consistency that would make them serious title challengers.
Too often glamourous victories over the league’s top teams have been followed up by defeats against lowly opposition and both managers will be looking to put that right on Friday.
In fairness both sides are undefeated in three games in all competitions which will give fans some belief that they can get a winning run underway.
The reverse fixture was played on the opening day of the season, with Kieran Offord scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win for the Crues. The Scot has managed eight strikes so far during his loan spell from St Mirren and will be a handful for the Glens’ defence for sure.
Declan Devine’s Glens will be buoyed by the fact they have defeated league leaders Linfield twice over the last three weeks and will feel confident they can get at least a point at Seaview.
Odds: Home: 2/1 Draw: 21/10 Away: 6/5
Prediction: Draw
SATURDAY (3PM KICK-OFF)
Ballymena United v Dungannon Swifts
United have struggled for form since their September and October winning heroics. They have fallen from second in the table to seventh.
However, given the state of play in one of the most open Premiership seasons of recent times, a win at the Showgrounds could bring them all the way up to third and above Saturday’s opponents Dungannon.
However, Rodney McAree has his Swifts side back on the wagon after three league wins on the bounce and another away win cannot be discounted this time.
Having only conceded two goals in their last three league games, Ballymena may struggle to score many in this one and desperately need star signing Ben Kennedy back on form and hitting the net.
The last time the sides met was back in August when the Swifts squeezed home 1-0, a game remembered for Jim Ervin failing to agree to call the game off following a number of Dungannon players being involved in a car accident prior to kick-off.
Another tight affair is expected here with perhaps some extra spice after the events at Stangmore last time out.
Odds: Home: 29/20 Draw: 21/10 Away: 13/8
Prediction: Draw
Carrick Rangers v Loughgall
It is 10th versus 12th at Taylors Avenue where Stephen Baxter will hope his Rangers side can kick on from their away win over Ballymena last time out.
Basement boys Loughgall just cannot buy a win at present and are having a serious case of second-season syndrome after some heroic performances last season.
No wins in four games sums the Villagers’ form up this year and more worryingly they only managed to hit the net in two of those fixtures.
Baxter is still finding his way into the east Antrim club and the last time they had a victory before Ballymena was a 3-0 thumping of Crusaders, after which they lost meekly to Dungannon at home.
The club has announced four new signings form League of Ireland football this week and brighter times could be around the corner. I would also expect them to have too much firepower for Dean Smith’s Loughgall this weekend.
Odds: Home: 7/10 Draw: 13/5 Away: 16/5
Prediction: Carrick Rangers
Linfield v Coleraine
Having lost twice in their last five games, David Healy may be glad his side built up such a healthy buffer at the summit of the table. The Blues still enjoy a seven-point cushion from Cliftonville and will be hoping to add more daylight between themselves and the chasing pack against the Bannsiders.
Coleraine flattered to deceive with some promising form in early November, but they have fallen by the wayside somewhat in recent weeks with three defeats and a draw in their last five outings.
Matthew Shevlin has been a shining light for Dean Shiels’ men with 12 goals. If he can get on the scoresheet Coleraine have a sniff but Linfield must still start as favourites.
Odds: Home: 1/3 Draw: 15/4 Away: 11/2
Prediction: Linfield
Portadown v Cliftonville
Niall Currie has made his Portadown side very difficult to beat, and their only defeat of their last five came the last time out against Linfield.
They have jumped to fourth in the table and have created a cauldron at home, renowned for some impressive late winners. It is in defence however where they are becoming more astute and no longer have to score three times just to have a chance of winning.
Cliftonville are also on the back of only one defeat in five and in Joe Gormley they have the league’s top scorer on 13 goals.
The sides clashed on the opening day of the season with Cliftonville edging the game 1-0 and there is no reason to think this one will be any less tight.
Cliftonville will start as favourites, but never discount the Co Armagh outfit right up until the final whistle.
Odds: Home: 14/5 Draw: 5/2 Away: 4/5
Prediction: Cliftonville
