Preview: Coleraine vs. Glentoran - prediction, team news, lineups

Coleraine and Glentoran square off on Monday evening with just one point separating the teams in the NIFL Premiership standings.

Having built a cushion over the bottom half of the table, both teams are looking to close the gap on the top four, Glentoran having the chance to move to within one point of Crusaders.

Match preview

Ever since the start of September, it has been all or nothing for Coleraine as they have gone 10 matches without posting a draw in the Northern Irish top flight.

A total of five wins and five defeats have been recorded during that period, regularly combining two victories followed by the same amount of setbacks.

Last time out, Coleraine recorded a 2-0 triumph over fourth-placed Crusaders, with Conor McKendry scoring twice after half time to take his tally for the campaign up to nine strikes.

Oran Kearney's side have now recorded three victories in their last five away fixtures, but they have been less impressive in front of their own supporters.

Just seven points have been accumulated from their six outings at The Showgrounds, heaping the pressure on an improved performance being delivered on Monday.

From the perspective of Glentoran, they have been more inconsistent than their hosts of late, winning just two of their most recent eight matches.

Their two successes in question came against teams in the bottom half of the table, with each of them also coming at their home ground.

You have to go back to September 9 for the last time that Warren Feeney's side prevailed on their travels, with that being a 4-2 win over 11th-placed Newry City.

Four defeats have been recorded in the most recent seven outings, the first of which was a 2-1 reverse to Coleraine in the reverse fixture on September 22.

Coleraine NIFL Premiership form:

Glentoran NIFL Premiership form:

Team News

Barring any injury issues, Kearney is expected to select the same Coleraine XI that battled their way to victory over Crusaders.

Their only two alterations in that game came immediately after their match-clinching second strike, and each of Lee Lynch and Davy McDaid are expected to remain among the replacements.

In sharp contrast, there may be changes aplenty for Glentoran, as least one of them enforced due to the one-match ban being served by Patrick McClean.

Reverting back to a defensive three looks likely, although Bobby Burns will miss out due to the broken jaw that he suffered against Crusaders on October 28.

To allow Marcus Kane to be deployed at left wing-back in his place, Harry Murphy may come into the defence for what would be his first league minutes of the season.

Coleraine possible starting lineup:

Deane; Wallace, Farren, Kelly, Jarvis; Kane, Carson, Glackin; McKendry, Mitchell, Scott

Glentoran possible starting lineup:

McCarey; Murphy, McCullough, Wilson; O'Connor, Kelly, Palmer, Sule, Kane; Donnelly, Ogedi-Uzokwe

We say: Coleraine 1-1 Glentoran

Despite their close proximity in the table, Glentoran have by far the more impressive attacking and defensive statistics out of these two teams. Nevertheless, their recent form has been indifferent to say the least, leading us to back a competitive draw between two sides with European ambitions for next season.

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