Crusaders vs Cliftonville: match statistics
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
Game details
Crusaders played against Cliftonville in NIFL Premiership (Northern Ireland). The game was played on March 10, 2026. Final score: 0:1.
Recent form
Crusaders has 0 wins, 1 draw and 4 losses over its last five games, averaging 0.20 points per game. Cliftonville has 3 wins, 0 draws and 2 losses, with 1.80 points per game.
Scoring records
Crusaders scores 1.27 goals per game and allows 2.27. Cliftonville scores 1.59 and allows 1.45. Games in this league average 2.88 goals.
BTTS and goal totals
Both teams score in 53% of Crusaders's games and 62% of Cliftonville's. The Over 2.5 rates are 67% and 59%, compared with league averages of 51% for BTTS and 54% for Over 2.5.
xG and shots
Cliftonville has the higher season xG average, 1.45 to 1.21 per game. Crusaders takes 9.6 shots per game, while Cliftonville takes 11.9.
First-half and second-half trends
Crusaders leads at halftime in 33% of its games and scores 0.63 goals per game after halftime. Cliftonville leads at halftime in 31% and scores 0.97 after halftime.
When the teams score
Crusaders's most productive scoring window is minutes 31-45+ (9 goals). For Cliftonville, it is minutes 76-90+ (13 goals). These are past scoring patterns, not predicted goal times.
League scoring profile
NIFL Premiership games average 2.88 goals. Both teams score in 51% of games, and 54% finish with at least three goals.
Head-to-head record
Before this game, 2 previous meetings were available. The record was 1 home win, 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 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.
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
| Crusaders | Cliftonville | |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy (shots on target) | 37% | 38% |
| Chance quality (xG per shot) | 0.13 | 0.12 |
| Finishing (goals per shot on target) | 0.36 | 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 800% better for: last-5 form.
0.2 pts / game - Crusaders · 1.8 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 25% better for: goals scored per game.
1.27 goals / game - Crusaders · 1.59 goals / game - Cliftonville
Cliftonville is 57% better for: goals allowed per game.
2.27 goals / game - Crusaders · 1.45 goals / game - Cliftonville
Crusaders scores in 63% of games (19 of 30 meczów), while Cliftonville keeps a clean sheet in 28% (8 of 29 meczów).
Cliftonville scores in 79% of games (23 of 29 meczów), while Crusaders keeps a clean sheet in 10% (3 of 30 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 - Crusaders
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 19% better for: first-half form (half-time points).
1.1 pts / game - Crusaders · 1.31 pts / game - Cliftonville
Before half-time (1st half)
After half-time (2nd half)
Crusaders - second-half results
Leads at halftime in 33% of games and wins 23%. Sometimes gives up a halftime lead.
Allows 0.4 more goals per game after halftime, a sign that the defense becomes less effective later in games.
Cliftonville - second-half results
Leads at halftime in 31% of games and wins 41%. Also wins some games without leading at halftime.
Defense stays consistent across the full game.
| 1st half | 2nd half | |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 0.20 | 0.60 |
| Goals scored / game | 0.4 | 1.0 |
| Goals allowed / game | 1.2 | 2.4 |
| Average goals per game | 1.6 | 3.4 |
| 1 goal | 80% | 100% |
| 2 goals | 40% | 100% |
| 3 goals | 40% | 80% |
| Clean sheet | 20% | 0% |
| No goal | 60% | 20% |
| Goal difference | -4 | -7 |
| 1st half | 2nd half | |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 1.80 | 1.80 |
| Goals scored / game | 0.8 | 1.4 |
| Goals allowed / game | 0.4 | 1.4 |
| Average goals per game | 1.2 | 2.8 |
| 1 goal | 60% | 100% |
| 2 goals | 40% | 80% |
| 3 goals | 20% | 60% |
| Clean sheet | 60% | 40% |
| No goal | 40% | 20% |
| 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 31-45 (9 goals). Concedes most in 76-90 (20). Late-goal balance (76-90): -14 - late phases are a weakness.
Most dangerous in minutes 76-90 (13 goals). Concedes most in 31-45 (10). Late-goal balance (76-90): +4 - 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
Crusaders
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
| Crusaders | Liga | Cliftonville | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average goals per game | ▲ 3.53 | 2.88 | ▲ 3.03 |
| Both teams scored | ▲ 53% | 51% | ▲ 62% |
| Min. 3 goals (Over 2.5) | ▲ 67% | 54% | ▲ 59% |
| Clean sheets | ▼ 10% | 26% | ▲ 28% |
| Goal before half-time | ▲ 90% | 76% | • 76% |
| Goal after half-time | ▲ 87% | 78% | ▼ 72% |
^ 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 Crusaders's perspective: 1 win, 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 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 1.27 goals per game on average and Cliftonville 1.59. The NIFL Premiership average is 2.88 goals, with Over 2.5 landing in 54% of games. Both teams score in 53% of Crusaders's matches and 62% of Cliftonville's.
What form are Crusaders and Cliftonville in?
Over the last 5 games Crusaders have a 0-1-4 record (0.20 points per game) and Cliftonville 3-0-2 (1.80 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.