A northern tilt at Solitude: table-topping Larne host second-placed Coleraine
The January fixture at Solitude pits the leaders Larne against a hungry Coleraine side in what promises to be a high-stakes Premiership encounter. On paper Larne arrive with the momentum of a team that has bullied their way to the summit: 21 matches, 49 points and a stingy defensive record that reads just nine goals conceded across the campaign. Coleraine sit two points shy in second but carry a reputation for attacking intent — their season totals show 46 goals scored, the league’s sharper end of the spear. The fixture on 02/01/2026 will be a test of Larne’s iron-clad backline versus Coleraine’s forward threat.
Form, recent meetings and match temperament
Larne’s recent run is eye-catching: the sequence shows seven wins, two draws and a single loss across their latest ten outings. At home they’re particularly resilient, boasting 13 clean sheets and only two goals conceded within their home dataset — an indication of a team that defends as a unit. Their most recent match was a 0-0 draw against Cliftonville, a game where goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson earned the best-player nod with a 6.5 rating, underlining the platform Larne have built from the back.
Coleraine arrive on the back of an emphatic 3-1 victory over Linfield and have netted freely this season, but their form has been more up-and-down: five wins, one draw and four defeats in their last ten. Their away numbers show they can score on the road, yet they also concede at a higher clip than Larne away from home. An earlier head-to-head this season saw Larne take a 2-1 win at Coleraine, so the home side knows how to get the job done against this opponent. Joel Cooper was the standout for Coleraine in that win over Linfield, earning the top rating among his teammates.
Expect a cagey opening as Larne try to assert defensive control while Coleraine probe for weaknesses. Statistically, Larne have lower BTTS percentages at home and a smaller over-2.5 profile, whereas Coleraine’s matches tend to carry more goals — a clash of styles that should make for a tense first hour of football.
Prediction and betting suggestion
Taking all data into account — Larne’s superior league position, their formidable home (and defensive) record, recent unbeaten momentum and the pricing on offer — the strongest single-market play is a 1X2 selection for a Larne win. Bookmaker odds list Larne at 2.35, offering value given their 42.55% implied probability and the home-side statistics pointing to a low-risk approach to this fixture. For readers building a longer-term view on markets, consult targeted strategy pieces like Soccer betting tips and the choice of markets and, for discipline around stakes, consider reading How to have emotional control when placing bets?
Betting suggestion: back Larne to win (1) at odds ~2.35. Stake conservatively and consider pairing this with a small stake on under 2.5 goals only if you prefer a lower-variance option, given Larne’s clean-sheet form.
