Northern Ireland - NIFL PremiershipData current as of 18 July 2026

Crusaders vs Cliftonville: match statistics

Crusaders crest
Crusaders
0 : 1half-time 0:0
Cliftonville crest
Cliftonville
120%(3.82)
X25%(3.90)
255%(1.76)

Cliftonville clearly outperforms Crusaders in terms of form and quality of play. The hosts sit 11th in the table with a mere 14% home win rate and disastrous form – zero wins in their last 5 matches and a -13 goal difference in home games. Crusaders have lost 4 of their last 5 fixtures, conceding a staggering 18 goals. Conversely, Cliftonville (6th place) is in excellent disposition with 4 wins in their last 5 matches and 2.4 points per game. The visitors boast significantly better efficiency (only a 15% FTS% vs the hosts' 43%), a superior defense (1.46 vs 2.21 average goals conceded), and higher ball possession (53% vs 50%). Given such a massive disparity in form and quality, a Cliftonville victory is the most probable scenario for this matchup.

Crusaders vs Cliftonville: form, goals and key statistics

Key match information

Crusaders play Cliftonville in NIFL Premiership (Northern Ireland). The match date is 10 March 2026 at 20:45. Final score: 0:1.

Current form

Crusaders: 3-1-1, 2.00 points/match. Cliftonville: 2-0-3, 1.20 points/match.

Goal statistics

Crusaders scores 1.26 and concedes 2.13 goals per match. Cliftonville scores 1.44 and concedes 1.56. League average: 2.94 goals.

BTTS / Over / Under

BTTS: Crusaders 50%, Cliftonville 59%. Over 2.5: Crusaders 63%, Cliftonville 59%. League level: BTTS 52%, Over 2.5 56%.

xG, shots and style

Cliftonville has higher xG: 1.41 vs 1.25. Crusaders: 9.7 shots per match, Cliftonville: 11.8.

Match halves

Crusaders: half-time lead 32%, second-half goals 0.58. Cliftonville: half-time lead 28%, second-half goals 0.79.

Goals by minute

Crusaders: 31-45+ (11 goals). Cliftonville: 76-90+ (14 goals). This is historical distribution, not a predicted goal minute.

League context

NIFL Premiership: 2.94 goals per match, BTTS 52%, Over 2.5 56%.

Head-to-head

2 H2H matches: 1-0-1. Average goals 5.00, BTTS 100%.

Match description

Cliftonville clearly outperforms Crusaders in terms of form and quality of play. The hosts sit 11th in the table with a mere 14% home win rate and disastrous form – zero wins in their last 5 matches and a -13 goal difference in home games. Crusaders have lost 4 of their last 5 fixtures, conceding a staggering 18 goals. Conversely, Cliftonville (6th place) is in excellent disposition with 4 wins in their last 5 matches and 2.4 points per game. The visitors boast significantly better efficiency (only a 15% FTS% vs the hosts' 43%), a superior defense (1.46 vs 2.21 average goals conceded), and higher ball possession (53% vs 50%). Given such a massive disparity in form and quality, a Cliftonville victory is the most probable scenario for this matchup.

Half-by-half

0 : 0
1st half
0 : 1
2nd half

Match statistics

27Possession (%)73
CrusadersCliftonville
3Shots21
CrusadersCliftonville
0Shots on target8
CrusadersCliftonville
0.43xG2.46
CrusadersCliftonville
1Corners7
CrusadersCliftonville
31Dangerous attacks79
CrusadersCliftonville
16Fouls9
CrusadersCliftonville
0Cards0
CrusadersCliftonville

Pre-match profilewhat do the season numbers say?

This is a team profile based on season data and form. Match-flow statistics are shown only after the fixture is played.

CrusadersCliftonville
1.26Goals scored / match1.44
CrusadersCliftonville
2.13Goals conceded / match1.56
CrusadersCliftonville
48%Average possession52%
CrusadersCliftonville
3.45Shots on target / match4.28
CrusadersCliftonville

Team statswho is more efficient?

Attack and defence comparison for both teams in the current season.

9.68Shots per match11.77
CrusadersCliftonville
3.45Shots on target4.28
CrusadersCliftonville
13%Shot conversion12.2%
CrusadersCliftonville
48%Possession52%
CrusadersCliftonville
1.25xG for1.41
CrusadersCliftonville
1.89xG against1.46
CrusadersCliftonville

Shooting quality

Crusaders: Efficient finishingCliftonville: Balanced
CrusadersCliftonville
Accuracy (shots on target)36%36%
Chance quality (xG per shot)0.130.12
Finishing (goals per shot on target)0.370.34

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 formwho is in better shape?

Last five matches and season record, overall and split by home and away matches.

Crusaders is 67% better for: last-5 form.

2 pts / match - Crusaders · 1.2 pts / match - Cliftonville

Crusaders
LDWWW
Season result split
26% W16% R58% P
Season (W-D-L)
10-6-22
0.95 pts / match · goal difference -33
Last 5 (W-D-L)
3-1-1
2.00 pts / match
Record at home (W-D-L)
4-4-11
Last 5 at home
2-1-2
LLDWW
Last 5 matches - averages
Goals scored: 2.0Goals conceded: 1.8xG: 1.68Opponent xG: 1.34BTTS: 60%Over 2.5: 60%
Cliftonville
LLWWL
Season result split
38% W21% R41% P
Season (W-D-L)
15-8-16
1.36 pts / match · goal difference -5
Last 5 (W-D-L)
2-0-3
1.20 pts / match
Record away (W-D-L)
6-4-9
Last 5 away
1-0-4
LLLLW
Last 5 matches - averages
Goals scored: 1.4Goals conceded: 2.2xG: 1.27Opponent xG: 1.38BTTS: 80%Over 2.5: 80%

Goalshow 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 14% better for: goals scored per match.

1.26 goals / match - Crusaders · 1.44 goals / match - Cliftonville

Cliftonville is 37% better for: goals conceded per match.

2.13 goals / match - Crusaders · 1.56 goals / match - Cliftonville

Crusaders scoring profile: strong

Crusaders scores in 63% of matches (24 of 38 matches), while Cliftonville keeps a clean sheet in 26% (10 of 39 matches).

Cliftonville scoring profile: very strong

Cliftonville scores in 77% of matches (30 of 39 matches), while Crusaders keeps a clean sheet in 16% (6 of 38 matches).

48Goals scored (season)56
CrusadersCliftonville
81Goals conceded (season)61
CrusadersCliftonville
3.39Average goals in match3
CrusadersCliftonville
10Goals scored (last 5)7
CrusadersCliftonville
9Goals conceded (last 5)11
CrusadersCliftonville

How often they score at least...

63%1 goal77%
CrusadersCliftonville
42%2 goals41%
CrusadersCliftonville
16%3 goals15%
CrusadersCliftonville
5%4 goals5%
CrusadersCliftonville

How often they concede at least...

84%1 goal74%
CrusadersCliftonville
58%2 goals54%
CrusadersCliftonville
32%3 goals15%
CrusadersCliftonville
26%4 goals8%
CrusadersCliftonville

* Statistics include both teams' home and away matches in the current season.

Both teams scored (BTTS)how often do both teams score?

How often both teams' matches have goals on both sides, compared with the league average.

52%
League average

Goal patterns

21%BTTS at half-time26%
CrusadersCliftonville
5%BTTS in both halves8%
CrusadersCliftonville
29%Scored in both halves21%
CrusadersCliftonville

BTTS and goal count

45%Min. 3 goals and BTTS54%
CrusadersCliftonville
18%Min. 3 goals without BTTS5%
CrusadersCliftonville
60%BTTS - last 580%
CrusadersCliftonville

Goal count (Over/Under)how often do these matches cross the goal lines?

How often matches involving these teams clear goal thresholds, in the full match and in each half.

1st half

82%Min. 1 goal before half-time74%
CrusadersCliftonville
37%Min. 2 goals before half-time38%
CrusadersCliftonville
26%Min. 3 goals before half-time13%
CrusadersCliftonville

2nd half

87%Min. 1 goal after half-time77%
CrusadersCliftonville
53%Min. 2 goals after half-time49%
CrusadersCliftonville
29%Min. 3 goals after half-time23%
CrusadersCliftonville

Match halveswhen 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 9% better for: first-half form (half-time points).

1.13 pts / match - Crusaders · 1.23 pts / match - Cliftonville

Crusaders - half-time state
32% leading18% draw50% trailing
Cliftonville - half-time state
28% leading38% draw33% trailing

Before half-time (1st half)

1.13Points per match (1st half)1.23
CrusadersCliftonville
0.68Goals scored (1st half)0.64
CrusadersCliftonville
0.84Goals conceded (1st half)0.77
CrusadersCliftonville
1.53Average goals (1st half)1.41
CrusadersCliftonville
39%Clean sheet before half-time46%
CrusadersCliftonville
58%No goal before half-time54%
CrusadersCliftonville

After half-time (2nd half)

1.08Points per match (2nd half)1.38
CrusadersCliftonville
0.58Goals scored (2nd half)0.79
CrusadersCliftonville
1.29Goals conceded (2nd half)0.79
CrusadersCliftonville
1.87Average goals (2nd half)1.59
CrusadersCliftonville
34%Clean sheet after half-time46%
CrusadersCliftonville
50%No goal after half-time49%
CrusadersCliftonville

Crusaders - second-half results

26% W29% R45% P
43
Half-time points
26
Half-time goals
-6
Goal difference (1st half)
41
Second-half points
-27
Goal difference (2nd half)
1.13
PPG before half-time
Lead holding81%

Leads at half-time in 32% of matches and wins 26%. Usually protects the lead until full-time.

Defence after half-time+0.5

Concedes 0.5 more goals per match after half-time - defensive level drops in the second half.

Cliftonville - second-half results

36% W31% R33% P
48
Half-time points
25
Half-time goals
-5
Goal difference (1st half)
54
Second-half points
0
Goal difference (2nd half)
1.23
PPG before half-time
Lead holding136%

Leads at half-time in 28% of matches and wins 38%. Also wins matches without a half-time lead.

Defence after half-time+0.0

Defence stays stable across the full match.

Crusaders - last 5 matches by half
1st half2nd half
Points per match1.401.80
Goals scored / match1.40.6
Goals conceded / match0.81.0
Average goals in match2.21.6
1 goal80%100%
2 goals60%20%
3 goals60%20%
Clean sheet40%60%
No goal40%40%
Goal difference+3-2
Half-time: 40% leading - 20% draw - 40% trailing
2nd half: 60% won - 0% draw - 40% lost
BTTS at half-time (last 5): 40% - Half-time goals total: 7
Cliftonville - last 5 matches by half
1st half2nd half
Points per match1.001.40
Goals scored / match1.00.4
Goals conceded / match1.60.6
Average goals in match2.61.0
1 goal80%80%
2 goals80%20%
3 goals40%0%
Clean sheet20%60%
No goal40%60%
Goal difference-3-1
Half-time: 20% leading - 40% draw - 40% trailing
2nd half: 40% won - 20% draw - 40% lost
BTTS at half-time (last 5): 60% - Half-time goals total: 5

* Colours in tables show event frequency: green is common, yellow is moderate, red is rare. It is frequency, not a team rating.

Goals by minutewhen do goals arrive?

Match phases in which both teams most often score and concede.

Crusaders
ScoredConceded
7
8
0-15
8
6
16-30
11
18
31-45
9
14
46-60
6
11
61-75
7
24
76-90

Most dangerous in minutes 31-45 (11 goli). Concedes most in 76-90 (24). Late-goal balance (76-90): -17 - late phases are a weakness.

Cliftonville
ScoredConceded
9
3
0-15
7
11
16-30
9
16
31-45
10
8
46-60
7
13
61-75
14
10
76-90

Most dangerous in minutes 76-90 (14 goli). Concedes most in 31-45 (16). Late-goal balance (76-90): +4 - wins late phases.

* Buckets 31-45 and 76-90 include added-time goals.

Additional team indicatorswhat do xG, efficiency and form show?

A comparison of chance quality, results and trends based on completed matches from the current season.

Match profile

3.20
Estimated goals
attack vs opponent defence
1.4 : 1.8
Estimated goal split
home : away
109%
Pace vs league
100% = league average
55%
Both teams scored (BTTS)
average from both teams' seasons
+56%
Derby effect
H2H goals vs typical matches
49%
BTTS estimate
from both teams' scoring frequency
9%
0:0 risk
about 1 in 11 matches
2-3
Most common goal range
attack vs defence on both sides

Crusaders

Net xG balance
Difference between the quality of chances created and allowed per match.
-0.64
Results compared with xG
Difference between the actual goal balance and the balance suggested by xG.
-0.23
Points compared with goal balance
Comparison between collected points and the points implied by the team's goal balance.
+6.4 pts
Finishing efficiency
Does the team convert chances? Positive means it scores more than the quality of chances suggests.
+0.01
Defensive efficiency
Does the defence or goalkeeper save the team? Positive means it concedes less than the chances allowed suggest.
-0.24
Attack vs league
How much the team scores compared with the league average for this role. 120% means 20% above average.
78%
Defence vs league
How much the team concedes compared with the league average. 80% means 20% fewer goals conceded.
160%
Form trend
Compares points from the last 5 matches with the whole-season average.
+1.05
Stronger second half?
How many more goals the team scores after half-time than before it.
-0.1
Late goals
15% of this team's goals come in minutes 76-90. For comparison, 15% come in the first quarter-hour.
15%

Cliftonville

Net xG balance
Difference between the quality of chances created and allowed per match.
-0.05
Results compared with xG
Difference between the actual goal balance and the balance suggested by xG.
-0.07
Points compared with goal balance
Comparison between collected points and the points implied by the team's goal balance.
-0.5 pts
Finishing efficiency
Does the team convert chances? Positive means it scores more than the quality of chances suggests.
+0.03
Defensive efficiency
Does the defence or goalkeeper save the team? Positive means it concedes less than the chances allowed suggest.
-0.10
Attack vs league
How much the team scores compared with the league average for this role. 120% means 20% above average.
108%
Defence vs league
How much the team concedes compared with the league average. 80% means 20% fewer goals conceded.
97%
Form trend
Compares points from the last 5 matches with the whole-season average.
-0.16
Stronger second half?
How many more goals the team scores after half-time than before it.
+0.2
Late goals
25% of this team's goals come in minutes 76-90. For comparison, 16% come in the first quarter-hour.
25%

* The estimated goal total and split, BTTS estimate, 0:0 risk and goal range are calculated from public season averages and frequencies for both teams. This is a statistical match profile, not a private model prediction or betting pick. The remaining indicators describe completed matches from the season.

League contextis this a high-scoring league?

How both teams compare with league-wide averages (NIFL Premiership).

Teams vs league

CrusadersLigaCliftonville
Average goals in match 3.392.94 3.00
Both teams scored 50%52% 59%
Min. 3 goals (Over 2.5) 63%56% 59%
Clean sheets 16%26% 26%
Goal before half-time 82%76% 74%
Goal after half-time 87%80% 77%

^ green = above league average, ˇ red = below league average. This shows direction of the gap, not a team rating.

2.94
Average goals per match
52%
Both teams scored
56%
Min. 3 goals (Over 2.5)
26%
Clean sheets
1.61
Home goals / match
1.33
Away goals / match
+21%
Home attack advantage
+17%
Home defence advantage
+11%
Total home advantage
Goals in 1st half (whole league)
76%
1 goal
40%
2 goals
13%
3 goals
3%
4 goals
Goals in 2nd half (whole league)
80%
1 goal
47%
2 goals
22%
3 goals
8%
4 goals

Head-to-head

Recent meetings (2): Crusaders 1 - 0 - 1 Cliftonville. Average goals 5.00, both teams scored in 100% matches.

FAQ

What was the result of Crusaders vs Cliftonville?

The NIFL Premiership match finished Crusaders 0:1 Cliftonville. Full match statistics, the half-by-half breakdown and head-to-head are on this page.

What is the head-to-head record between Crusaders and Cliftonville?

In the last 2 head-to-head matches Crusaders won 1, Cliftonville won 1 and 0 ended level. These games averaged 5.00 goals, with both teams scoring in 100% of them.

What do the goal statistics show before Crusaders vs Cliftonville?

Crusaders score 1.26 goals per game on average and Cliftonville 1.44. The NIFL Premiership average is 2.94 goals, with Over 2.5 landing in 56% of games. Both teams score in 50% of Crusaders's matches and 59% of Cliftonville's.

What form are Crusaders and Cliftonville in?

Over the last 5 games Crusaders have a 3-1-1 record (2.00 points per game) and Cliftonville 2-0-3 (1.20 points per game).

Where can I find a betting tip and analysis for Crusaders 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.