Coleraine vs Bangor — Match Preview
Friday night football returns to The Showgrounds on 12 December 2025 as league leaders Coleraine host 7th-placed Bangor. The Bannsiders are flying high at the top of the table with 39 points and have won their last three matches, including a 3-1 victory over Carrick Rangers. Bangor, on the other hand, have been inconsistent, sitting in 7th with 24 points, but they do hold a psychological edge after beating Coleraine 2-1 earlier this season. This is a crucial test of Coleraine’s title credentials against a tricky opponent.
Coleraine vs Bangor — Match Info
- Competition: Sports Direct Premiership (Matchday 20)
- Venue: The Showgrounds, Coleraine (Capacity: 4,900)
- Date: Friday, 12 December 2025
- Kickoff: 19:45 GMT | 20:45 CET | 01:15 IST (Saturday)
- Referee: TBC (NIFL Appointment)
Coleraine vs Bangor — Match Stakes
Coleraine (1st — 39 pts):
- Win → Moves to 42 pts; extends lead over Larne and Linfield
- Draw → Risks dropping points in the tight title race
- Loss → Momentum killer; could allow Larne to close the gap to just 1 point
Bangor (7th — 24 pts):
- Win → Jumps to 27 pts; closes in on the top 6 (Championship Split spots)
- Draw → Decent result away to the leaders; keeps the tally ticking
- Loss → Remains stuck in the bottom half; gap to top 6 widens
Coleraine vs Bangor — Team News
Coleraine:
- Kelly G. — Out (Achilles tendon)
- McGonigle J. — Out (Hamstring injury)
- Schofield R. — Out (Shoulder injury)
- Murray C. — Questionable (Knock)
Bangor:
- O’Connor M. — Out (Internal Club Suspension/Statement)
- Arthurs B. — Available (Key Forward)
- Cushnie B. — Available (Attacking Midfielder)
Coleraine vs Bangor — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
Coleraine
- 06/12 — 3–1 vs Carrick Rangers (League)
- 03/12 — 2–0 vs Moyola (League Cup)
- 29/11 — 2–0 vs Crusaders (League)
- 26/11 — 1–2 vs Larne (League)
- 22/11 — 0–1 vs Cliftonville (League)
Bangor
- 06/12 — 2–1 vs Glenavon (League)
- 29/11 — 1–1 vs Glentoran (League)
- 22/11 — 0–1 vs Linfield (League)
- 15/11 — 1–1 vs Portadown (League)
- 08/11 — 2–3 vs Ballymena United (League)
Coleraine vs Bangor — Head-to-Head (Last Meetings)
- 04/10/2025 — Bangor 2–1 Coleraine (Premiership)
- 04/10/2023 — Coleraine 2–1 Bangor (League Cup)
- 15/09/2021 — Bangor 0–5 Coleraine (League Cup)
Coleraine vs Bangor — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)
Coleraine (4-2-3-1)
Deane; Kane, Jarvis, Scott, Lyons; Glackin, Shevlin; Carson, Campbell, McLaughlin; Friel
Bangor (4-4-2)
Taylor; Beverland, Francis, McAlinden, Neale; Cushnie, Ferguson, Gallagher, McGuinness; Arthurs, Boyd
Coleraine vs Bangor — Impact Bench
Coleraine: Doherty (Midfield control), Lowry (Experience)
Bangor: Okoro (Pace on wing), McArthur (Defensive stability)
Coleraine vs Bangor — Tactical Analysis
Coleraine
At The Showgrounds, Coleraine look to dominate possession. With Jamie McGonigle out, the goalscoring burden falls on Cathair Friel. They will look to exploit the wide areas through Josh Carson, aiming to stretch Bangor’s back four. Their recent form (3 wins, 7 goals scored) suggests their attack is clicking again after a minor wobble in November.
Bangor
Bangor thrive on being the underdog. In the 2-1 win earlier this season, they frustrated Coleraine with a compact shape and hit them on the break. Ben Arthurs is a physical presence up top who can hold up the ball and bring midfielders like Ben Cushnie into play. They will likely sit deep and look for set-piece opportunities, where they are dangerous.
Coleraine vs Bangor — Key Battles
- Friel vs Francis — striker movement vs defensive positioning
- Glackin vs Ferguson — battle for midfield tempo
- Kane vs Okoro — veteran fullback vs pacy winger
- Deane vs Arthurs — goalkeeper vs target man
Coleraine vs Bangor — Spotlight Players
Coleraine — Matthew Shevlin
The forward-turned-winger (or secondary striker) has been crucial in Coleraine’s resurgence. His work rate and ability to find pockets of space will be key to breaking down Bangor’s low block.
Bangor — Ben Arthurs
The hero of the reverse fixture. Arthurs is a handful for any defense in the league. If Bangor are to upset the leaders again, he needs to have a perfect game in front of goal.
Coleraine vs Bangor — Prediction
Coleraine 2–0 Bangor
Coleraine have found their groove again and are scoring freely. While Bangor are capable of an upset, the Bannsiders’ home advantage and motivation to stay top of the league should be too much. Expect a professional performance from the hosts.
Coleraine vs Bangor — Betting Insights
- Coleraine to Win — YES
- Over 2.5 Goals — Possible
- Both Teams to Score — NO
Coleraine vs Bangor — Where to Watch
- Northern Ireland: BBC iPlayer (Select matches), NIFL YouTube
- International: OneFootball (Streaming)
Coleraine vs Bangor — FAQs
Q: When is the Coleraine vs Bangor match?
A: The match kicks off on Friday, 12 December 2025, at 19:45 GMT.
Q: Where is Coleraine vs Bangor being played?
A: The match takes place at The Showgrounds in Coleraine.
Q: Is Jamie McGonigle playing for Coleraine?
A: No. Jamie McGonigle is ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Q: Who is top of the Northern Ireland Premiership?
A: Coleraine are currently top of the table with 39 points.
Q: How can I watch the match live?
A: The match may be available on the BBC iPlayer or via the NIFL’s official streaming partners like OneFootball.
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