Ballymena United vs Crusaders: match statistics
Analysis of the statistics indicates a very even match between two teams in poor form. Ballymena United occupies 10th place in the table and has lost all of their last 5 matches, earning not a single point. Crusaders are placed just behind them in 11th position, also in dismal disposition with merely 1 point in the last 5 meetings. The hosts have better defense at home (averaging 1.45 goals conceded), while the guests concede as many as 1.92 goals per match away. Crusaders show slightly better possession statistics (49% vs 44%) and shooting efficiency (13% vs 12%), which may give them a slight advantage. Given the catastrophic form of both teams, the high number of defeats, and very similar offensive parameters (xG around 1.2-1.3), I expect a tight, low-scoring meeting with a slight advantage for the guests, although a draw is equally probable.
Ballymena United vs Crusaders: form, goals and key statistics
Game details
Ballymena United played against Crusaders in NIFL Premiership (Northern Ireland). The game was played on February 17, 2026. Final score: 2:0.
Recent form
Ballymena United has 0 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses over its last five games, averaging 0.20 points per game. Crusaders has 1 win, 1 draw and 3 losses, with 0.80 points per game.
Scoring records
Ballymena United scores 1.15 goals per game and allows 1.58. Crusaders scores 1.30 and allows 2.07. Games in this league average 2.86 goals.
BTTS and goal totals
Both teams score in 50% of Ballymena United's games and 52% of Crusaders's. The Over 2.5 rates are 46% and 67%, compared with league averages of 51% for BTTS and 55% for Over 2.5.
xG and shots
Crusaders has the higher season xG average, 1.24 to 1.17 per game. Ballymena United takes 9.1 shots per game, while Crusaders takes 10.2.
First-half and second-half trends
Ballymena United leads at halftime in 23% of its games and scores 0.65 goals per game after halftime. Crusaders leads at halftime in 37% and scores 0.63 after halftime.
When the teams score
Ballymena United's most productive scoring window is minutes 61-75 (8 goals). For Crusaders, it is minutes 31-45+ (8 goals). These are past scoring patterns, not predicted goal times.
League scoring profile
NIFL Premiership games average 2.86 goals. Both teams score in 51% of games, and 55% finish with at least three goals.
Head-to-head record
Before this game, 2 previous meetings were available. The record was 0 home wins, 2 draws and 0 away wins. Those games averaged 3.00 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
Analysis of the statistics indicates a very even match between two teams in poor form. Ballymena United occupies 10th place in the table and has lost all of their last 5 matches, earning not a single point. Crusaders are placed just behind them in 11th position, also in dismal disposition with merely 1 point in the last 5 meetings. The hosts have better defense at home (averaging 1.45 goals conceded), while the guests concede as many as 1.92 goals per match away. Crusaders show slightly better possession statistics (49% vs 44%) and shooting efficiency (13% vs 12%), which may give them a slight advantage. Given the catastrophic form of both teams, the high number of defeats, and very similar offensive parameters (xG around 1.2-1.3), I expect a tight, low-scoring meeting with a slight advantage for the guests, although a draw is equally probable.
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 | Crusaders | |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy (shots on target) | 37% | 37% |
| Chance quality (xG per shot) | 0.13 | 0.12 |
| Finishing (goals per shot on target) | 0.34 | 0.35 |
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.
Crusaders is 300% better for: last-5 form.
0.2 pts / game - Ballymena United · 0.8 pts / game - Crusaders
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.
Crusaders is 13% better for: goals scored per game.
1.15 goals / game - Ballymena United · 1.3 goals / game - Crusaders
Ballymena United is 31% better for: goals allowed per game.
1.58 goals / game - Ballymena United · 2.07 goals / game - Crusaders
Ballymena United scores in 69% of games (18 of 26 meczów), while Crusaders keeps a clean sheet in 11% (3 of 27 meczów).
Crusaders scores in 63% of games (17 of 27 meczów), while Ballymena United keeps a clean sheet in 19% (5 of 26 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 - Crusaders
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.
Crusaders is 14% better for: first-half form (half-time points).
1.04 pts / game - Ballymena United · 1.19 pts / game - Crusaders
Before half-time (1st half)
After half-time (2nd half)
Ballymena United - second-half results
Leads at halftime in 23% of games and wins 27%. Also wins some games without leading at halftime.
Defense stays consistent across the full game.
Crusaders - second-half results
Leads at halftime in 37% of games and wins 26%. Sometimes gives up a halftime lead.
Allows 0.2 more goals per game after halftime, a sign that the defense becomes less effective later in games.
| 1st half | 2nd half | |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 0.60 | 0.40 |
| Goals scored / game | 0.4 | 0.4 |
| Goals allowed / game | 0.8 | 1.2 |
| Average goals per game | 1.2 | 1.6 |
| 1 goal | 80% | 100% |
| 2 goals | 40% | 60% |
| 3 goals | 0% | 0% |
| Clean sheet | 20% | 0% |
| No goal | 60% | 60% |
| Goal difference | -2 | -4 |
| 1st half | 2nd half | |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 1.20 | 1.40 |
| Goals scored / game | 0.6 | 0.8 |
| Goals allowed / game | 0.8 | 1.6 |
| Average goals per game | 1.4 | 2.4 |
| 1 goal | 100% | 80% |
| 2 goals | 20% | 60% |
| 3 goals | 20% | 60% |
| Clean sheet | 40% | 40% |
| No goal | 40% | 40% |
| Goal difference | -1 | -4 |
* 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 (12). Late-goal balance (76-90): -8 - late phases are a weakness.
Most dangerous in minutes 31-45 (8 goals). Concedes most in 76-90 (16). Late-goal balance (76-90): -11 - late phases are a weakness.
* 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
Crusaders
* 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 | Crusaders | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average goals per game | ▼ 2.73 | 2.86 | ▲ 3.37 |
| Both teams scored | • 50% | 51% | • 52% |
| Min. 3 goals (Over 2.5) | ▼ 46% | 55% | ▲ 67% |
| Clean sheets | ▼ 19% | 26% | ▼ 11% |
| Goal before half-time | ▲ 85% | 77% | ▲ 93% |
| Goal after half-time | ▲ 85% | 77% | ▲ 85% |
^ 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
Match timeline
Goals, cards and substitutions arranged in chronological order.
Head-to-head
Record from Ballymena United's perspective: 0 wins, 2 draws and 0 losses against Crusaders. Games average 3.00 goals, and both teams scored in 100% of them.
FAQ
What was the result of Ballymena United vs Crusaders?
The NIFL Premiership match finished Ballymena United 2:0 Crusaders. Full match statistics, the half-by-half breakdown and head-to-head are on this page.
What is the head-to-head record between Ballymena United and Crusaders?
In the last 2 head-to-head matches Ballymena United won 0, Crusaders won 0 and 2 ended level. These games averaged 3.00 goals, with both teams scoring in 100% of them.
What do the goal statistics show before Ballymena United vs Crusaders?
Ballymena United score 1.15 goals per game on average and Crusaders 1.30. The NIFL Premiership average is 2.86 goals, with Over 2.5 landing in 55% of games. Both teams score in 50% of Ballymena United's matches and 52% of Crusaders's.
What form are Ballymena United and Crusaders in?
Over the last 5 games Ballymena United have a 0-1-4 record (0.20 points per game) and Crusaders 1-1-3 (0.80 points per game).
Where can I find a betting tip and analysis for Ballymena United vs Crusaders?
The statistical background for Ballymena United vs Crusaders — form, head-to-head, goals, BTTS and Over/Under — is on this page. The tip with full reasoning and a value assessment is in the NoFluffPicks app.