BBC Sportfootball

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Related BBC sites

Page last updated at 08:44 GMT, Thursday, 5 August 2010 09:44 UK

Linfield tipped to retain title

Linfield skipper Noel Bailie lifts the Gibson Cup
Linfield clinched their 49th Irish League title in April 2010

Champions Linfield have been installed as strong odds-on favourites to retain their Carling Premiership title.

David Jeffrey's Blues, who won last season's crown by five points from runners-up Cliftonville, are 1-2 with Paddy Power bookmakers.

Linfield's cross-city rivals Glentoran are second favourites at 5-1 with Cliftonvile next at 8-1.

Newcomers Donegal Celtic are 200-1 but Newry City are fancied to finish bottom as they are the 250-1 outsiders.

606: DEBATE
Grosvenor Park

Linfield begin their title defence with a home match against Ballymena United.

Manager Jeffrey has been quiet on the transfer front but the Blues are reported to be close to completing the signing of former Crusaders defender David Armstrong, who has returned home from Scottish club Hearts.

Neal Gawley of Glentoran
Neal Gawley is Glentoran's only major summer signing

Armstrong was in the Linfield team which beat Ballyclare Comrades 4-1 in Tuesday's final pre-season friendly.

Cliftonville will not be in action on the opening day because of their Europa League match against CSKA Sofia on Thursday night.

Glentoran boss Scott Young has not been able to bring in as many new players as he would have liked.

Former Lisburn Distillery forward Neal Gawley is the only new arrival and he could made his competitive debut against his former club as the Glens open the campaign at New Grosvenor on Saturday.

Coleraine, who have added ex-Crusaders defender Aaron Black, Linfield's Johnny Harkness and former Glentoran and Derry winger David Scullion, are at home to Glenavon.

Among the new faces at Glenavon are former Glentoran defender Kyle Neill and Linfield front man Mark Miskimmin.

Newly-promoted Donegal Celtic have a Belfast derby with Crusaders while Newry City start at home to Dungannon Swifts.

Former Cliftonville player and manager Marty Tabb has just taken over at DC and his main objective could be to keep the west Belfast club clear of an immediate return to the Championship.

At Newry, boss Gerry Flynn has added seasoned stars John Convery, Francis Murphy, Conor Downey and Conor Hagan to his panel.


Odds for 2010/11 Carling Premiership
Linfield 1-2
Glentoran 5-1
Cliftonville 8-1
Portadown 11-1
Crusaders 12-1
Coleraine 40-1
Lisburn Distillery 60-1
Dungannon Swifts 66-1
Ballymena United 100-1
Glenavon 100-1
Donegal Celtic 200-1
Newry City 250-1



Print Sponsor


see also
Burns extends deal with Linfield
03 Aug 10 |  Irish
Linfield 1-0 Cliftonville
27 Apr 10 |  Irish


related internet links:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites