Half the battle

Though Cliftonville were not in Sports Direct Premiership action this weekend, today’s results have had an impact on how the post-split landscape will look.

Five of the six available top-half slots have been allocated and the Reds will be at home to Glentoran and away to Larne, Linfield and Crusaders after the split, with the one remaining berth currently being contested by four teams.

As regular visitors to our online guide will know, sixth-placed Coleraine are in the driving seat, however mathematical possibilities exist for Loughgall, Carrick Rangers and Glenavon, whose victory over Dungannon Swifts this afternoon has knocked the Stangmore Park side out of the reckoning.

If the top six sides are confirmed come the close of play on Saturday, March 23, the Premiership’s post-split schedule will be released relative to teams’ positions in the table at that time. If, however, Carrick (who do not play on the 23rd) still retain a chance of climbing from the bottom half and into the top six, the post-split programme will be announced after matches on Tuesday, April 2, when Cliftonville take on Larne and the Gers host Linfield.

Which teams have already qualified for the Premiership’s top six?
1. Cliftonville
2. Crusaders
3. Glentoran
4. Larne
5. Linfield
6.

Which teams can still mathematically qualify for the Premiership’s top six?
Carrick Rangers
Coleraine
Glenavon
Loughgall

Where will Cliftonville’s fixtures be played against all potential opponents?
Carrick Rangers (Solitude)
Coleraine (The Showgrounds)
Crusaders (Seaview)
Glenavon (Mourneview Park)
Glentoran (Solitude)
Larne (Inver Park)
Linfield (Windsor Park)
Loughgall (Solitude)

When will post-split fixtures take place?
Numbers reflective of Premiership positions when post-split schedule is declared
Saturday, April 6 (3pm)
1 v 5
2 v 4
3 v 6

Saturday, April 13 (3pm)
1 v 3
2 v 5
4 v 6

Tuesday, April 16 (7.45pm)
1 v 4
2 v 6
3 v 5

Saturday, April 20 (3pm)
1 v 2
3 v 4
5 v 6

Saturday, April 27 (5.30pm)
1 v 6
2 v 3
4 v 5