Carrick vs Linfield Predictions

Northern Irish champions Linfield face another test on Monday night, with the visitors aiming to claw back games on their rivals. The champions have played only four times this term, half as much as the current top four. They’ve been held back by Europa League action, but that European run has buoyed David Healy’s men. They head to Carrick this week looking to add to a fine run of form in the league.

The hosts have played six times this term, but they are still three points shy of Linfield. Carrick aren’t having a great campaign, with their last four home matches all finishing in defeats. While they stormed to promotion from the Championship last season, Carrick need work if they are going to prolong their stay in the top flight. They are hoping to claim the points here towards a survival push, but the hosts are massive underdogs in this live clash.

Linfield are looking to retain their title after a fantastic start, with their Europa League run further boosting the finances of the biggest club in the country. Healy’s men showed they could mix it with rivals from the continent, which has made them heavy favourites for domestic success. However, Crusaders have set the early pace with 19 points from a possible 24. That leaves Linfield little room for mistakes as they look to claw their way back.

The visitors have been in form of late, with four straight wins taking them into this clash in a strong position. They’ve not been spectacular in the league, with back to back 1-0 wins over Belfast rivals Cliftonville and Glentoran. However, those clean sheets were certainly a positive. We expect them to add to that by shutting out Carrick this week, given the hosts’ low scoring form.

Carrick have been beaten to nil in back to back home games, while they have a huge test facing them this week. The hosts are also going to struggle to overturn a long stretch of form against Linfield. The visitors have won their last seven clashes with Carrick. In each of those games, Linfield have won to nil. The visitors have kept a clean sheet in their five visits to Carrick, which has us turning to a win to nil for the visitors as our tip.

We are also backing Linfield to win 2-0 here, with the Blues scoring eight goals across their last four visits here, winning two of the last three 2-0.