Glentoran vs Coleraine — Match Preview
A massive Friday night showdown lights up East Belfast as Glentoran welcome league leaders Coleraine to The BetMcLean Oval on 19 December 2025. The visitors are enjoying a sensational season, sitting top of the table with 42 points and winning four of their last five league games. Glentoran, currently 4th with 31 points, are struggling for consistency under Declan Devine, having taken just one point from their last two league outings. However, the Glens have had the upper hand in this fixture recently, winning 2–1 at The Showgrounds back in September.
Glentoran vs Coleraine — Match Info
- Competition: NIFL Premiership (Matchday 21)
- Venue: The BetMcLean Oval, Belfast (Capacity: 6,054)
- Date: Friday, 19 December 2025
- Kickoff: 19:45 GMT
- Referee: TBC (IFA Appointment)
Glentoran vs Coleraine — Match Stakes
Glentoran (4th — 31 pts):
- Win → Moves to 34 pts; closes gap on the top 3 and restores fan confidence
- Draw → Stops the recent slump but leaves them drifting away from the title race
- Loss → Gap to Coleraine widens to 14 points; likely ends any faint title hopes
Coleraine (1st — 42 pts):
- Win → Moves to 45 pts; guarantees Christmas #1 spot
- Draw → A solid point at a tough venue; keeps the unbeaten run ticking
- Loss → Opens the door for Larne and Linfield to close the gap at the top
Glentoran vs Coleraine — Team News
Glentoran:
- Hoban P. — Available (Summer signing, key goal threat)
- Kane M. — Available (Captain & Leader)
- Gyollai D. — Out (Left club in summer; Crellin B. expected to start in goal)
- Singleton J. — Questionable (Knock vs Larne)
Coleraine:
- Shevlin M. — Available (League’s Top Scorer)
- Glackin J. — Available (Creative hub)
- Brown R. — Available (Starting GK)
- Higgins R. — Manager likely to stick with winning XI from Bangor game.
Glentoran vs Coleraine — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
Glentoran
- 13/12 — 0–1 vs Larne (Premiership)
- 06/12 — 2–2 vs Cliftonville (Premiership)
- 03/12 — 2–1 vs Cliftonville (League Cup)
- 29/11 — 1–1 vs Bangor (Premiership)
- 22/11 — 0–1 vs Dungannon Swifts (Premiership)
Coleraine
- 13/12 — 2–0 vs Bangor (Premiership)
- 06/12 — 3–1 vs Carrick Rangers (Premiership)
- 03/12 — 2–0 vs Moyola Park (League Cup)
- 29/11 — 2–0 vs Crusaders (Premiership)
- 26/11 — 1–2 vs Larne (Premiership)
Glentoran vs Coleraine — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)
- 20/09/2025 — Coleraine 1–2 Glentoran
- 02/04/2025 — Glentoran 2–1 Coleraine
- 15/02/2025 — Coleraine 1–2 Glentoran
- 26/10/2024 — Coleraine 2–1 Glentoran
- 21/08/2024 — Glentoran 0–0 Coleraine
Glentoran vs Coleraine — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)
Glentoran (4-2-3-1)
Crellin; Cooney, Hvid, Larmour, Kane; Palmer, Douglas; Connolly, Lindsay, Fisher; Hoban
Coleraine (4-3-3)
Brown; Kane, Jarvis, Kelly, Boyle; Doherty, Scott, Glackin; Campbell, Shevlin, McGonigle
Glentoran vs Coleraine — Impact Bench
Glentoran: Donnelly (Proven goalscorer), Jenkins (Impact sub)
Coleraine: Murray (Pace on wing), McManus (Experience)
Glentoran vs Coleraine — Tactical Analysis
Glentoran
Playing at The Oval, Glentoran usually look to dominate possession, but their recent form suggests a lack of cutting edge. With Patrick Hoban leading the line, they will look to swing crosses in early. They must be wary of Coleraine’s transition speed; Glens’ defense has kept only one clean sheet in the last five league games.
Coleraine
Ruaidhri Higgins has turned Coleraine into a winning machine. They are ruthless in front of goal, with Matthew Shevlin in the form of his life. Expect them to sit slightly deeper than usual, absorbing Glentoran’s early pressure, before releasing Jamie Glackin and Rhyss Campbell to counter-attack into the spaces left by Marcus Kane and Ryan Cooney.
Glentoran vs Coleraine — Key Battles
- Hoban vs Kelly — physical battle in the box
- Palmer vs Glackin — midfield control vs creativity
- Kane vs Campbell — Glens captain vs pacy winger
- Crellin vs Shevlin — GK needs a big night against the league’s top scorer
Glentoran vs Coleraine — Spotlight Players
Glentoran — Dylan Connolly
His pace on the wing is Glentoran’s best weapon. If he can isolate the Coleraine full-backs, he can create the chances Hoban needs to score.
Coleraine — Matthew Shevlin
The striker is unstoppable right now. His movement and finishing are the main reasons Coleraine are top of the league. He scored in the last game and loves the big occasion.
Glentoran vs Coleraine — Prediction
Glentoran 1–2 Coleraine
Glentoran have a good H2H record recently, but form is impossible to ignore. Coleraine are playing with the confidence of champions, while Glentoran look disjointed. The Bannsiders should have enough quality in the final third to secure a massive away win.
Glentoran vs Coleraine — Betting Insights
- Coleraine to Win — Value Bet
- Both Teams to Score — YES
- Over 2.5 Goals — Likely
Glentoran vs Coleraine — Where to Watch
- Northern Ireland: BBC iPlayer / BBC Sport NI website (Live Stream likely)
- International: OneFootball
Glentoran vs Coleraine — FAQs
Q: When is the Glentoran vs Coleraine match?
A: The match kicks off on Friday, 19 December 2025, at 19:45 GMT.
Q: Who is top of the NIFL Premiership?
A: Coleraine are currently 1st with 42 points.
Q: Did Glentoran sign Patrick Hoban?
A: Yes, he joined the club in July 2025 and is their key forward.
Q: Where is the match being played?
A: It will be played at The BetMcLean Oval in East Belfast.
Call to Action — SportsphereArena Community
Can the Glens halt the Bannsiders’ charge?
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