Cliftonville vs Crusaders: match statistics
Cliftonville displays significantly better form and home statistics than Crusaders in away matches. The hosts have an impressive 46% win rate at home, averaging 1.62 goals per game and maintaining 54% possession. Crusaders, however, lose as many as 57% of their away matches, conceding an average of 1.93 goals, and their form in the last five games (0.2 points per match) is alarmingly poor. The difference in expected goals (xG) also favors the hosts – 1.59 to 1.21 in attack and 1.26 to 2.1 in defense. Cliftonville's positive goal difference at home (+4) compared to Crusaders' disastrous away record (-10) confirms the hosts' advantage. Considering all these factors, a Cliftonville victory is the most likely scenario for this match.
Cliftonville vs Crusaders: form, goals and key statistics
Game details
Cliftonville played against Crusaders in NIFL Premiership (Northern Ireland). The game was played on February 21, 2026. Final score: 5:2.
Recent form
Cliftonville has 1 win, 1 draw and 3 losses over its last five games, averaging 0.80 points per game. Crusaders has 0 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses, with 0.20 points per game.
Scoring records
Cliftonville scores 1.48 goals per game and allows 1.44. Crusaders scores 1.25 and allows 2.07. Games in this league average 2.87 goals.
BTTS and goal totals
Both teams score in 68% of Cliftonville's games and 50% of Crusaders's. The Over 2.5 rates are 60% and 64%, compared with league averages of 51% for BTTS and 55% for Over 2.5.
xG and shots
Cliftonville has the higher season xG average, 1.45 to 1.24 per game. Cliftonville takes 12.0 shots per game, while Crusaders takes 9.8.
First-half and second-half trends
Cliftonville leads at halftime in 28% of its games and scores 0.88 goals per game after halftime. Crusaders leads at halftime in 36% and scores 0.61 after halftime.
When the teams score
Cliftonville's most productive scoring window is minutes 76-90+ (9 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 2.87 goals. Both teams score in 51% of games, and 55% 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 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
Cliftonville displays significantly better form and home statistics than Crusaders in away matches. The hosts have an impressive 46% win rate at home, averaging 1.62 goals per game and maintaining 54% possession. Crusaders, however, lose as many as 57% of their away matches, conceding an average of 1.93 goals, and their form in the last five games (0.2 points per match) is alarmingly poor. The difference in expected goals (xG) also favors the hosts – 1.59 to 1.21 in attack and 1.26 to 2.1 in defense. Cliftonville's positive goal difference at home (+4) compared to Crusaders' disastrous away record (-10) confirms the hosts' advantage. Considering all these factors, a Cliftonville victory is the most likely scenario for this match.
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
| Cliftonville | Crusaders | |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy (shots on target) | 36% | 36% |
| Chance quality (xG per shot) | 0.12 | 0.13 |
| 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.
Cliftonville is 300% better for: last-5 form.
0.8 pts / game - Cliftonville · 0.2 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.
Cliftonville is 18% better for: goals scored per game.
1.48 goals / game - Cliftonville · 1.25 goals / game - Crusaders
Cliftonville is 44% better for: goals allowed per game.
1.44 goals / game - Cliftonville · 2.07 goals / game - Crusaders
Cliftonville scores in 80% of games (20 of 25 meczów), while Crusaders keeps a clean sheet in 11% (3 of 28 meczów).
Crusaders scores in 61% of games (17 of 28 meczów), while Cliftonville keeps a clean sheet in 24% (6 of 25 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 - Cliftonville
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.
Before half-time (1st half)
After half-time (2nd half)
Cliftonville - second-half results
Leads at halftime in 28% of games and wins 36%. Also wins some games without leading at halftime.
Defense stays consistent across the full game.
Crusaders - second-half results
Leads at halftime in 36% of games and wins 25%. Sometimes gives up a halftime lead.
Allows 0.3 more goals per game after halftime, a sign that the defense becomes less effective later in games.
| 1st half | 2nd half | |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 1.20 | 0.80 |
| Goals scored / game | 1.0 | 0.8 |
| Goals allowed / game | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| Average goals per game | 2.2 | 2.0 |
| 1 goal | 100% | 100% |
| 2 goals | 80% | 60% |
| 3 goals | 20% | 40% |
| Clean sheet | 20% | 0% |
| No goal | 0% | 40% |
| Goal difference | -1 | -2 |
| 1st half | 2nd half | |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 0.80 | 0.80 |
| Goals scored / game | 0.4 | 0.6 |
| Goals allowed / game | 0.8 | 2.0 |
| Average goals per game | 1.2 | 2.6 |
| 1 goal | 80% | 80% |
| 2 goals | 20% | 80% |
| 3 goals | 20% | 60% |
| Clean sheet | 40% | 20% |
| No goal | 60% | 60% |
| Goal difference | -2 | -7 |
* 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 76-90 (9 goals). Concedes most in 31-45 (9). Late-goal balance (76-90): +1 - wins late phases.
Most dangerous in minutes 31-45 (8 goals). Concedes most in 76-90 (17). Late-goal balance (76-90): -12 - 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
Cliftonville
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
| Cliftonville | Liga | Crusaders | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average goals per game | • 2.92 | 2.87 | ▲ 3.32 |
| Both teams scored | ▲ 68% | 51% | • 50% |
| Min. 3 goals (Over 2.5) | ▲ 60% | 55% | ▲ 64% |
| Clean sheets | ▼ 24% | 26% | ▼ 11% |
| Goal before half-time | ▲ 80% | 77% | ▲ 89% |
| Goal after half-time | ▼ 68% | 77% | ▲ 86% |
^ 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
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 Cliftonville's perspective: 0 wins, 0 draws and 1 loss against Crusaders. Games average 3.00 goals, and both teams scored in 100% of them.
FAQ
What was the result of Cliftonville vs Crusaders?
The NIFL Premiership match finished Cliftonville 5:2 Crusaders. Full match statistics, the half-by-half breakdown and head-to-head are on this page.
What do the goal statistics show before Cliftonville vs Crusaders?
Cliftonville score 1.48 goals per game on average and Crusaders 1.25. The NIFL Premiership average is 2.87 goals, with Over 2.5 landing in 55% of games. Both teams score in 68% of Cliftonville's matches and 50% of Crusaders's.
What form are Cliftonville and Crusaders in?
Over the last 5 games Cliftonville have a 1-1-3 record (0.80 points per game) and Crusaders 0-1-4 (0.20 points per game).
Where can I find a betting tip and analysis for Cliftonville vs Crusaders?
Here you can check the pre-match numbers for Cliftonville vs Crusaders: form, H2H, goals and Over/Under. The pick itself, value and reasoning are published in the NoFluffPicks app.