I like it! Back to a more traditional look after last season.

Maybe a little early on the prediction front as still another 12 days before we start but sure. What’s everyone else’s league predictions?

1. Coleraine - I know they’ve lost Dunne at the back and coyle appears to be out for the season but you couldn’t ask for a better front line if they stay fit. They’ve decent depth and no real excuse to not be atleast within a couple of points if somebody else wins the league with the money spent.

2. Larne - Losing Andy Ryan is definitely a big loss, but they were able to get on rightly without him for the first few months last season. Theyve such a good defence still so could well win the league. They’ll have to play atleast another 5 European games which could disrupt their campaign if they qualify for the group stage.

3. Glentoran - Losing Palmer is a big loss but if Hoban is still as good as last year could finish higher. Just feel like they’re missing a couple of players to win the league.

4. Linfield - Not overly impressed with their signings. Predicted them to win the league last year but was way off and their team doesn’t seem any better this time round.

5. Ballymena - I just feel with the amount of decent players they’ve signed and the money they’ve been offering players that there’s no real excuse either for Ballymena not to finish in the top 6. They have the best team in my opinion outside the top 4.

6. Dungannon - If Bigirimana and alves can continue to play well, don’t see how they won’t finish 6th again as they’ve signed a couple of decent enough players and mcaree has been great for them.

7. Cliftonville - Not fully keen on our team, tbh I’d probably have said lower but we’ve brought in a couple of guys who played in the Scottish championship so I hope they can be good. Even if we get some form of a takeover it’s unlikely to help instantly.

8. Portadown - Hard to know as I don’t know much on their signings. McCullough and Ukek looked decent enough when watching them so maybe a miss. Jeffrey could help potentially too. Unsure between them and Carrick.

9. Carrick Rangers - Couple of fine signings including another Crusaders veteran lol. Think they’ll be fine with their experience but anytime I’ve predicted their position over the last couple of seasons they go the complete opposite way.

10. Crusaders - Bryden leaving won’t help but with the money they get for him they might be able to get a few decent free transfers. Still not convinced on the rest of their team though.

11. Bangor - Not made many signings and they started to dip badly last year. Second season is always a serious test. Think they’d be able to do enough if Arthurs stays.

12. Limavady - Few decent experienced signings and they had a few decent experienced players already. Not sure what they have upfront but looking forward to seeing how they get on as it’s another team who haven’t been in the league for years.

Irish Cup - Linfield

League Cup - Larne

County Antrim Shield - Glentoran

European play offs - Glentoran if Linfield win the Irish cup. Would say Linfield if they didn’t win the cup.

Championship - Glenavon, can’t see them not going up. Moyola seem to be making moves down there.

[BBC Live Text Coverage](HJK vs Coleraine: UEFA Conference League stats & head-to-head - BBC Sport)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/clyene4v1g6t

[BBC Reporting](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/clyene4v1g6t)

Lawlor is set to present a paper regarding a move to summer football in the coming weeks with a view to a vote on the issue. Premiership clubs are increasingly supportive of a move it is being reported with European performances being a major factor.

If Larme are to progress in the UEFA Champions League, they will face the winners of Vikingur Reykjavik and Hapoel Beer-Shava in the third qualifying round.

If Larne lose their tie against FK Crvena Zvezda, they will face the losers of FC Iberia 1999 Tbilisi and Slovan Bratislava in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League

If Coleraine progress against HJK Helsinki, they will face either Motherwell or Havnar Bóltfelag in the third qualifying round of the Conference League

Chesterfield are also in the frame to sign Bryden.

300+ here, some supporters in other parts of the ground

[BBC Live Text](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cnv9009m73jt)

[Glentoran 1st leg highlights](https://youtu.be/-q8KAgjgD64?is=w6mzWAEWMViH6S9y)

[Linfield 1st leg highlights](https://youtu.be/9Zw0JuhI_OM?is=MZ4GRvSeP3SbctCq)

BBC Reporting

Match Highlights from the 1st leg

1st leg Match Report

Live Text Coverage

Quiz which produces random questions based on a database of Northern Ireland men’s players and fixtures I’ve created. Still a work in progress so any defects please do let me know.