Match details. Premiership, Regular Season - 10. Kick-off is Sat 3 Oct, 15:00 Lagos time. It is played at Loughview Leisure Arena, Carrickfergus.
What's at stake. Carrick Rangers are 8th on 10 points after 9 games, 2 points behind Cliftonville FC, 1 point clear of Ballymena United. A win would take them above Cliftonville FC. Crusaders FC are 4th on 15 points after 9 games, 1 point behind Larne, 2 points clear of Glentoran. A win would take them above Larne.
Form. Carrick Rangers have won three, drawn one and lost six of their last ten, 1.0 points a game. Their last five, newest first: L L D L L. Crusaders FC have won five, drawn none and lost five of their last ten, 1.5 points a game. Their last five, newest first: W L W L L.
The numbers. Carrick Rangers score 1.2 and concede 1.8 a game over their last ten, with two clean sheets and three games without a goal. Carrick Rangers average 7.7 shots (2.9 on target), 3.7 corners and 2.4 cards a game. Crusaders FC score 1.6 and concede 1.6 a game over their last ten, with one clean sheet. Crusaders FC average 7.2 shots (3.3 on target), 4.1 corners and 2.1 cards a game.
Head to head. In the last ten meetings Carrick Rangers have won three, drawn two and lost five. Seven of the ten went over 2.5 goals and both teams scored in six. In the last four, Carrick Rangers won two, one was drawn and Crusaders FC won one. The last time they met, on 28 Mar 2026, it finished Carrick Rangers 6-1 Crusaders FC.
The read. No side to back. An open game. Nothing separates them clearly enough to back a side. Their goals for and against point to an open game. Their records put over 2.5 goals at 73%. Seven of the last ten meetings went over 2.5.
The bets. Best bet: Over 1.5 Goals at 1.17, 85% on the records (Carrick Rangers: over 1.5 goals in 8 of 10; Crusaders FC: over 1.5 goals in 9 of 10). Backup: 2nd Half - Over/Under: Over 0.5 at 1.16. It often rescues the bet, but it is no guarantee. Leave: Crusaders FC or Over 2.5 Goals (no side to back); Under 4.5 Goals (no unders on an open read); Crusaders FC win or both teams score (no side to back). Predicted score: Carrick Rangers 1-2 Crusaders FC (9% chance).
Every score's chance from both teams' checked games, never cut or rescaled. The lit square is the likeliest score that fits the read (an open game).