Cliftonville confirmed their place in the top half of this season’s Sports Direct Premiership in mid-January which, as well as providing some insight into the team’s post-split schedule, ensures that the Club are at the very least guaranteed a Play-Off berth for next season’s UEFA Conference League.
The two-way split will take effect on Easter Tuesday, after which teams in the respective halves of the table will compete with one another for the Gibson Cup, European qualification and the fight against relegation.
With five teams currently confirmed for the top six, the Reds will have away fixtures against Crusaders, Larne and Linfield, a home game with Glentoran plus one other match against either Coleraine (away) or Carrick Rangers (home), while the specific order of fixtures will be confirmed in due course.
cliftonvillefc.net will once again endeavour to keep the Red Army ahead of the game with our up-to-the-minute guide on all of our opponents, home dates and away days for the final five outings of the Premiership season.
The details below reflect the current standings, allowing supporters to get an early gauge of how the run-in will shape up although, as ever, fans are advised that the fixtures template remains subject to ratification and indeed amendment at the discretion of the NI Football League who, as has been the case in recent seasons, may resolve to release the schedule earlier than advertised to assist Clubs’ preparations.
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
Where will Cliftonville’s fixtures be played against all potential opponents?
Carrick Rangers (Solitude)
Coleraine (The Showgrounds)
Crusaders (Seaview)
Glentoran (Solitude)
Larne (Inver Park)
Linfield (Windsor Park)
When will post-split fixtures take place?
Numbers reflective of Premiership positions on April 2
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