Ballymena United vs Cliftonville: match statistics
Cliftonville is displaying significantly better form than Ballymena United, confirmed by the points record in the last 5 matches (1.6 PPG vs 0.8 PPG). The hosts sit in 9th place with only a 30% home win rate and a negative goal difference (-2), while the visitors occupy the 6th position and show balanced away statistics (33% wins, draws, and losses). Cliftonville dominates possession (53% vs 45%) and has better scoring efficiency in the last 5 matches (10 goals vs 4 goals). Ballymena loses as many as 50% of home matches, which, given their current form (3 losses in the last 5 matches), makes them a clear outsider. Considering all metrics, Cliftonville has a real advantage, though it is not a certain victory due to the unpredictability of away matches.
Ballymena United vs Cliftonville: form, goals and key statistics
Game details
Ballymena United played against Cliftonville in NIFL Premiership (Northern Ireland). The game was played on January 13, 2026. Final score: 2:2.
Recent form
Ballymena United has 1 win, 1 draw and 3 losses over its last five games, averaging 0.80 points per game. Cliftonville has 1 win, 3 draws and 1 loss, with 1.20 points per game.
Scoring records
Ballymena United scores 1.18 goals per game and allows 1.50. Cliftonville scores 1.40 and allows 1.20. Games in this league average 2.76 goals.
BTTS and goal totals
Both teams score in 45% of Ballymena United's games and 60% of Cliftonville's. The Over 2.5 rates are 41% and 50%, compared with league averages of 48% for BTTS and 52% for Over 2.5.
xG and shots
Cliftonville has the higher season xG average, 1.41 to 1.25 per game. Ballymena United takes 9.6 shots per game, while Cliftonville takes 11.5.
First-half and second-half trends
Ballymena United leads at halftime in 27% of its games and scores 0.68 goals per game after halftime. Cliftonville leads at halftime in 30% and scores 0.90 after halftime.
When the teams score
Ballymena United's most productive scoring window is minutes 61-75 (8 goals). For Cliftonville, it is minutes 46-60 (8 goals). These are past scoring patterns, not predicted goal times.
League scoring profile
NIFL Premiership games average 2.76 goals. Both teams score in 48% of games, and 52% finish with at least three goals.
Head-to-head record
Before this game, one previous meeting was available. The record was 0 home wins, 0 draws and 1 away win. Those games averaged 5.00 goals, with both teams scoring in 100% of them.
Archived pre-match analysis
This analysis was prepared before kick-off. The conclusions use only information available before the match and do not include the final result or post-match statistics.
General match analysis
Cliftonville is displaying significantly better form than Ballymena United, confirmed by the points record in the last 5 matches (1.6 PPG vs 0.8 PPG). The hosts sit in 9th place with only a 30% home win rate and a negative goal difference (-2), while the visitors occupy the 6th position and show balanced away statistics (33% wins, draws, and losses). Cliftonville dominates possession (53% vs 45%) and has better scoring efficiency in the last 5 matches (10 goals vs 4 goals). Ballymena loses as many as 50% of home matches, which, given their current form (3 losses in the last 5 matches), makes them a clear outsider. Considering all metrics, Cliftonville has a real advantage, though it is not a certain victory due to the unpredictability of away matches.
View the statistical overviewStats by half
Game stats
Pre-game profile— what do the season numbers say?
This team profile combines season stats and recent form. In-game statistics appear after the final whistle.
Team stats— who is more efficient?
Compare both teams' attacking and defensive records this season.
Shooting quality
| Ballymena United | Cliftonville | |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy (shots on target) | 37% | 36% |
| Chance quality (xG per shot) | 0.13 | 0.12 |
| Finishing (goals per shot on target) | 0.33 | 0.34 |
xG per shot around 0.08 usually means long-range attempts; 0.15+ usually means box chances. The style label comes from possession, shot volume and conversion.
* xG (expected goals) says how many goals a team should score from its chances. If actual goals are above xG, finishing is above average; if below xG, chances are being missed.
Team form— who is in better shape?
Last five games and season record, overall, at home and away.
Cliftonville is 50% better for: last-5 form.
0.8 pts / game - Ballymena United · 1.2 pts / game - Cliftonville
Goals— how do both teams score and concede?
How many goals both teams score and concede, plus how often they keep a clean sheet or fail to score.
Cliftonville is 19% better for: goals scored per game.
1.18 goals / game - Ballymena United · 1.4 goals / game - Cliftonville
Cliftonville is 25% better for: goals allowed per game.
1.5 goals / game - Ballymena United · 1.2 goals / game - Cliftonville
Ballymena United scores in 68% of games (15 of 22 meczów), while Cliftonville keeps a clean sheet in 30% (6 of 20 meczów).
Cliftonville scores in 75% of games (15 of 20 meczów), while Ballymena United keeps a clean sheet in 23% (5 of 22 meczów).
How often they score at least...
How often they concede at least...
* Statistics include both teams' home and away games this season.
Both teams scored (BTTS)— how often do both teams score?
How often games involving these teams produce goals at both ends, compared with the league average.
Goal patterns
BTTS and goal count
Goal count (Over/Under)— how often do these games cross the goal lines?
See how often games involving these teams clear each goal line, for the full game and each half.
Full game - team comparison (Over)
Over / Under - Ballymena United
Over / Under - Cliftonville
1st half
2nd half
Game halves— when do the teams score more often?
How teams split performance between first and second half: goals, points, clean sheets and half-time state.
Cliftonville is 10% better for: first-half form (half-time points).
1.09 pts / game - Ballymena United · 1.2 pts / game - Cliftonville
Before half-time (1st half)
After half-time (2nd half)
Ballymena United - second-half results
Leads at halftime in 27% of games and wins 32%. Also wins some games without leading at halftime.
Defense stays consistent across the full game.
Cliftonville - second-half results
Leads at halftime in 30% of games and wins 40%. Also wins some games without leading at halftime.
Defense stays consistent across the full game.
| 1st half | 2nd half | |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 1.00 | 1.20 |
| Goals scored / game | 0.4 | 0.4 |
| Goals allowed / game | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| Average goals per game | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| 1 goal | 80% | 100% |
| 2 goals | 20% | 0% |
| 3 goals | 0% | 0% |
| Clean sheet | 40% | 40% |
| No goal | 60% | 60% |
| Goal difference | -1 | -1 |
| 1st half | 2nd half | |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 1.60 | 1.20 |
| Goals scored / game | 1.2 | 0.6 |
| Goals allowed / game | 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Average goals per game | 2.0 | 1.2 |
| 1 goal | 80% | 60% |
| 2 goals | 60% | 60% |
| 3 goals | 20% | 0% |
| Clean sheet | 40% | 60% |
| No goal | 40% | 60% |
| Goal difference | +2 | 0 |
* Table colors show frequency: green is common, yellow is moderate and red is rare. They are not team ratings.
Goals by minute— when do goals arrive?
The parts of a game in which both teams score and allow the most goals.
Most dangerous in minutes 61-75 (8 goals). Concedes most in 76-90 (9). Late-goal balance (76-90): -5 - late phases are a weakness.
Most dangerous in minutes 46-60 (8 goals). Concedes most in 76-90 (7). Late-goal balance (76-90): 0.
* Buckets 31-45 and 76-90 include added-time goals.
Additional team indicators— what do xG, efficiency and form show?
A comparison of chance quality, results and trends from completed games this season.
Game profile
Ballymena United
Cliftonville
* The estimated goal total and split, BTTS estimate, 0:0 risk and goal range use public season averages and frequencies for both teams. This is a statistical game profile, not a private model prediction or betting pick. The remaining indicators describe completed games from the season.
League context— is this a high-scoring league?
How both teams compare with league-wide averages (NIFL Premiership).
Teams vs league
| Ballymena United | Liga | Cliftonville | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average goals per game | • 2.68 | 2.76 | ▼ 2.60 |
| Both teams scored | ▼ 45% | 48% | ▲ 60% |
| Min. 3 goals (Over 2.5) | ▼ 41% | 52% | ▼ 50% |
| Clean sheets | ▼ 23% | 27% | ▲ 30% |
| Goal before half-time | ▲ 86% | 75% | • 75% |
| Goal after half-time | ▲ 82% | 77% | ▼ 60% |
^ green = above league average, ˇ red = below league average. This shows direction of the gap, not a team rating.
Lineups and player events
Verified starters, substitutes and recorded player events for this match.
Home team
Starting lineup
Away team
Starting lineup
Substitutes
Other recorded players
Match timeline
Goals, cards and substitutions arranged in chronological order.
Referee and managers
Open their season profiles to compare match records, goals and disciplinary trends.
Referee context
See how often this referee shows cards, awards penalties and how their matches tend to finish.
Head-to-head
Record from Ballymena United's perspective: 0 wins, 0 draws and 1 loss against Cliftonville. Games average 5.00 goals, and both teams scored in 100% of them.
FAQ
What was the result of Ballymena United vs Cliftonville?
The NIFL Premiership match finished Ballymena United 2:2 Cliftonville. Full match statistics, the half-by-half breakdown and head-to-head are on this page.
What do the goal statistics show before Ballymena United vs Cliftonville?
Ballymena United score 1.18 goals per game on average and Cliftonville 1.40. The NIFL Premiership average is 2.76 goals, with Over 2.5 landing in 52% of games. Both teams score in 45% of Ballymena United's matches and 60% of Cliftonville's.
What form are Ballymena United and Cliftonville in?
Over the last 5 games Ballymena United have a 1-1-3 record (0.80 points per game) and Cliftonville 1-3-1 (1.20 points per game).
Where can I find a betting tip and analysis for Ballymena United vs Cliftonville?
This page shows the full statistical context — form, head-to-head, goals, BTTS and Over/Under. The tip, value assessment and full reasoning are in the NoFluffPicks app.