Cliftonville vs Linfield: match statistics
Linfield are in decidedly better form, averaging 2.6 points per game over their last five matches with a run of four wins and one draw. The visitors sit third in the table with 17 wins, while Cliftonville are in seventh place with only 10 wins this season. Linfield's defence is significantly more solid, conceding an average of only 0.87 goals per away game and keeping clean sheets in 47% of matches, while the hosts concede an average of 1.53 goals at home. Cliftonville have inconsistent home form with 33% losses and just 47% wins, which, combined with Linfield's possession advantage (55%) and better recent form, points to an away victory. The difference in goal difference and the quality of play make Linfield the favorite for this match.
Cliftonville vs Linfield: form, goals and key statistics
Game details
Cliftonville played against Linfield in NIFL Premiership (Northern Ireland). The game was played on March 1, 2026. Final score: 2:0.
Recent form
Cliftonville has 2 wins, 0 draws and 3 losses over its last five games, averaging 1.20 points per game. Linfield has 4 wins, 1 draw and 0 losses, with 2.60 points per game.
Scoring records
Cliftonville scores 1.56 goals per game and allows 1.56. Linfield scores 1.77 and allows 0.63. Games in this league average 2.90 goals.
BTTS and goal totals
Both teams score in 67% of Cliftonville's games and 37% of Linfield's. The Over 2.5 rates are 63% and 47%, compared with league averages of 52% for BTTS and 56% for Over 2.5.
xG and shots
Linfield has the higher season xG average, 1.59 to 1.45 per game. Cliftonville takes 12.0 shots per game, while Linfield takes 12.1.
First-half and second-half trends
Cliftonville leads at halftime in 30% of its games and scores 0.93 goals per game after halftime. Linfield leads at halftime in 43% and scores 1.13 after halftime.
When the teams score
Cliftonville's most productive scoring window is minutes 76-90+ (11 goals). For Linfield, it is minutes 61-75 (13 goals). These are past scoring patterns, not predicted goal times.
League scoring profile
NIFL Premiership games average 2.90 goals. Both teams score in 52% of games, and 56% finish with at least three goals.
Head-to-head record
Before this game, 2 previous meetings were available. The record was 0 home wins, 1 draw and 1 away win. Those games averaged 0.50 goals, with both teams scoring in 0% 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
Linfield are in decidedly better form, averaging 2.6 points per game over their last five matches with a run of four wins and one draw. The visitors sit third in the table with 17 wins, while Cliftonville are in seventh place with only 10 wins this season. Linfield's defense is significantly more solid, conceding an average of only 0.87 goals per away game and keeping clean sheets in 47% of matches, while the hosts concede an average of 1.53 goals at home. Cliftonville have inconsistent home form with 33% losses and just 47% wins, which, combined with Linfield's possession advantage (55%) and better recent form, points to an away victory. The difference in goal difference and the quality of play make Linfield the favorite 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 | Linfield | |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy (shots on target) | 37% | 41% |
| Chance quality (xG per shot) | 0.12 | 0.13 |
| Finishing (goals per shot on target) | 0.35 | 0.36 |
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.
Linfield is 117% better for: last-5 form.
1.2 pts / game - Cliftonville · 2.6 pts / game - Linfield
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.
Linfield is 13% better for: goals scored per game.
1.56 goals / game - Cliftonville · 1.77 goals / game - Linfield
Linfield is 148% better for: goals allowed per game.
1.56 goals / game - Cliftonville · 0.63 goals / game - Linfield
Cliftonville scores in 78% of games (21 of 27 meczów), while Linfield keeps a clean sheet in 53% (16 of 30 meczów).
Linfield scores in 77% of games (23 of 30 meczów), while Cliftonville keeps a clean sheet in 22% (6 of 27 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 - Linfield
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.
Linfield is 37% better for: first-half form (half-time points).
1.26 pts / game - Cliftonville · 1.73 pts / game - Linfield
Before half-time (1st half)
After half-time (2nd half)
Cliftonville - second-half results
Leads at halftime in 30% of games and wins 37%. Also wins some games without leading at halftime.
Defense stays consistent across the full game.
Linfield - second-half results
Leads at halftime in 43% of games and wins 57%. Also wins some games without leading at halftime.
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 | 1.80 | 1.20 |
| Goals scored / game | 1.0 | 1.2 |
| Goals allowed / game | 0.6 | 1.8 |
| Average goals per game | 1.6 | 3.0 |
| 1 goal | 80% | 100% |
| 2 goals | 60% | 80% |
| 3 goals | 20% | 80% |
| Clean sheet | 40% | 0% |
| No goal | 20% | 40% |
| Goal difference | +2 | -3 |
| 1st half | 2nd half | |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 1.60 | 3.00 |
| Goals scored / game | 0.8 | 2.2 |
| Goals allowed / game | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Average goals per game | 1.2 | 2.2 |
| 1 goal | 80% | 100% |
| 2 goals | 40% | 60% |
| 3 goals | 0% | 40% |
| Clean sheet | 60% | 100% |
| No goal | 40% | 0% |
| Goal difference | +2 | +11 |
* 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 (11 goals). Concedes most in 31-45 (10). Late-goal balance (76-90): +2 - wins late phases.
Most dangerous in minutes 61-75 (13 goals). Concedes most in 46-60 (6). Late-goal balance (76-90): +7 - wins late phases.
* 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
Linfield
* 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 | Linfield | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average goals per game | ▲ 3.11 | 2.90 | ▼ 2.40 |
| Both teams scored | ▲ 67% | 52% | ▼ 37% |
| Min. 3 goals (Over 2.5) | ▲ 63% | 56% | ▼ 47% |
| Clean sheets | ▼ 22% | 26% | ▲ 53% |
| Goal before half-time | • 78% | 77% | ▼ 60% |
| Goal after half-time | ▼ 70% | 78% | ▼ 70% |
^ 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
Substitutes
Other recorded players
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, 1 draw and 1 loss against Linfield. Games average 0.50 goals, and both teams scored in 0% of them.
FAQ
What was the result of Cliftonville vs Linfield?
The NIFL Premiership match finished Cliftonville 2:0 Linfield. Full match statistics, the half-by-half breakdown and head-to-head are on this page.
What is the head-to-head record between Cliftonville and Linfield?
In the last 2 head-to-head matches Cliftonville won 0, Linfield won 1 and 1 ended level. These games averaged 0.50 goals, with both teams scoring in 0% of them.
What do the goal statistics show before Cliftonville vs Linfield?
Cliftonville score 1.56 goals per game on average and Linfield 1.77. The NIFL Premiership average is 2.90 goals, with Over 2.5 landing in 56% of games. Both teams score in 67% of Cliftonville's matches and 37% of Linfield's.
What form are Cliftonville and Linfield in?
Over the last 5 games Cliftonville have a 2-0-3 record (1.20 points per game) and Linfield 4-1-0 (2.60 points per game).
Where can I find a betting tip and analysis for Cliftonville vs Linfield?
Here you can check the pre-match numbers for Cliftonville vs Linfield: form, H2H, goals and Over/Under. The pick itself, value and reasoning are published in the NoFluffPicks app.