Crusaders vs Linfield: match statistics
Linfield presents significantly better form and statistics compared to Crusaders. The hosts occupy a distant 10th place in the table with a 7-3-14 record and an alarming goal difference of -10 at their own stadium, where they lose as many as 64% of matches and concede an average of 2.18 goals per match. Linfield, despite playing away, has a solid 11-7-5 season record and an impressive 45% clean sheets in away matches, conceding just 1 goal on average per match. The form of the last five meetings also speaks in favor of the visitors (1.6 PPG vs 1.4 PPG). A key factor is Linfield's advantage in average xG (1.39 vs 1.23) and significantly better defense. All these elements point to a higher probability of an away victory, although Linfield's poor away win rate (18% wins and 45% draws) leaves the door open for a draw.
Crusaders vs Linfield: form, goals and key statistics
Key match information
Crusaders played Linfield in NIFL Premiership (Northern Ireland). The match was played on 24 January 2026. Final score: 0:1.
Current form
Crusaders: 2-1-2, 1.40 points/match. Linfield: 1-2-2, 1.00 points/match.
Goal statistics
Crusaders scores 1.29 and concedes 2.04 goals per match. Linfield scores 1.52 and concedes 0.70. League average: 2.76 goals.
BTTS / Over / Under
BTTS: Crusaders 50%, Linfield 35%. Over 2.5: Crusaders 67%, Linfield 43%. League level: BTTS 49%, Over 2.5 52%.
xG, shots and style
Linfield has higher xG: 1.52 vs 1.22. Crusaders: 10.2 shots per match, Linfield: 11.4.
Match halves
Crusaders: half-time lead 42%, second-half goals 0.58. Linfield: half-time lead 39%, second-half goals 0.96.
Goals by minute
Crusaders: 31-45+ (7 goals). Linfield: 61-75 (8 goals). This is historical distribution, not a predicted goal minute.
League context
NIFL Premiership: 2.76 goals per match, BTTS 49%, Over 2.5 52%.
Head-to-head
Before this fixture, 2 previous H2H matches were available: 0-0-2. Average goals 2.50, BTTS 0%.
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 presents significantly better form and statistics compared to Crusaders. The hosts occupy a distant 10th place in the table with a 7-3-14 record and an alarming goal difference of -10 at their own stadium, where they lose as many as 64% of matches and concede an average of 2.18 goals per match. Linfield, despite playing away, has a solid 11-7-5 season record and an impressive 45% clean sheets in away matches, conceding just 1 goal on average per match. The form of the last five meetings also speaks in favor of the visitors (1.6 PPG vs 1.4 PPG). A key factor is Linfield's advantage in average xG (1.39 vs 1.23) and significantly better defense. All these elements point to a higher probability of an away victory, although Linfield's poor away win rate (18% wins and 45% draws) leaves the door open for a draw.
View the statistical overviewHalf-by-half
Match statistics
Pre-match profile— what 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.
Team stats— who is more efficient?
Attack and defence comparison for both teams in the current season.
Shooting quality
| Crusaders | Linfield | |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy (shots on target) | 35% | 38% |
| Chance quality (xG per shot) | 0.12 | 0.13 |
| 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 matches and season record, overall and split by home and away matches.
Crusaders is 40% better for: last-5 form.
1.4 pts / match - Crusaders · 1 pts / match - 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 18% better for: goals scored per match.
1.29 goals / match - Crusaders · 1.52 goals / match - Linfield
Linfield is 191% better for: goals conceded per match.
2.04 goals / match - Crusaders · 0.7 goals / match - Linfield
Crusaders scores in 63% of matches (15 of 24 matches), while Linfield keeps a clean sheet in 52% (12 of 23 matches).
Linfield scores in 70% of matches (16 of 23 matches), while Crusaders keeps a clean sheet in 13% (3 of 24 matches).
How often they score at least...
How often they concede at least...
* 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.
Goal patterns
BTTS and goal count
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.
Full match - team comparison (Over)
Over / Under - Crusaders
Over / Under - Linfield
1st half
2nd half
Match 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 24% better for: first-half form (half-time points).
1.33 pts / match - Crusaders · 1.65 pts / match - Linfield
Before half-time (1st half)
After half-time (2nd half)
Crusaders - second-half results
Leads at half-time in 42% of matches and wins 29%. Sometimes loses the lead after half-time.
Concedes 0.3 more goals per match after half-time - defensive level drops in the second half.
Linfield - second-half results
Leads at half-time in 39% of matches and wins 48%. Also wins matches without a half-time lead.
Concedes 0.4 more goals per match after half-time - defensive level drops in the second half.
| 1st half | 2nd half | |
|---|---|---|
| Points per match | 1.80 | 1.60 |
| Goals scored / match | 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Goals conceded / match | 0.6 | 1.2 |
| Average goals in match | 1.4 | 1.8 |
| 1 goal | 100% | 80% |
| 2 goals | 20% | 40% |
| 3 goals | 20% | 20% |
| Clean sheet | 60% | 60% |
| No goal | 20% | 40% |
| Goal difference | +1 | -3 |
| 1st half | 2nd half | |
|---|---|---|
| Points per match | 1.20 | 1.20 |
| Goals scored / match | 0.4 | 1.0 |
| Goals conceded / match | 0.2 | 0.8 |
| Average goals in match | 0.6 | 1.8 |
| 1 goal | 40% | 40% |
| 2 goals | 20% | 40% |
| 3 goals | 0% | 40% |
| Clean sheet | 80% | 60% |
| No goal | 80% | 60% |
| Goal difference | +1 | +1 |
* Colours in tables show event frequency: green is common, yellow is moderate, red is rare. It is frequency, not a team rating.
Goals by minute— when do goals arrive?
Match phases in which both teams most often score and concede.
Most dangerous in minutes 31-45 (7 goals). Concedes most in 76-90 (14). Late-goal balance (76-90): -10 - late phases are a weakness.
Most dangerous in minutes 61-75 (8 goals). Concedes most in 46-60 (5). Late-goal balance (76-90): +3 - 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 based on completed matches from the current season.
Match profile
Crusaders
Linfield
* 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 context— is this a high-scoring league?
How both teams compare with league-wide averages (NIFL Premiership).
Teams vs league
| Crusaders | Liga | Linfield | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average goals in match | ▲ 3.33 | 2.76 | ▼ 2.22 |
| Both teams scored | • 50% | 49% | ▼ 35% |
| Min. 3 goals (Over 2.5) | ▲ 67% | 52% | ▼ 43% |
| Clean sheets | ▼ 13% | 28% | ▲ 52% |
| Goal before half-time | ▲ 92% | 74% | ▼ 52% |
| Goal after half-time | ▲ 88% | 78% | ▼ 65% |
^ 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
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.
Head-to-head
Recent meetings (2): Crusaders 0 - 0 - 2 Linfield. Average goals 2.50, both teams scored in 0% matches.
FAQ
What was the result of Crusaders vs Linfield?
The NIFL Premiership match finished Crusaders 0:1 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 Crusaders and Linfield?
In the last 2 head-to-head matches Crusaders won 0, Linfield won 2 and 0 ended level. These games averaged 2.50 goals, with both teams scoring in 0% of them.
What do the goal statistics show before Crusaders vs Linfield?
Crusaders score 1.29 goals per game on average and Linfield 1.52. The NIFL Premiership average is 2.76 goals, with Over 2.5 landing in 52% of games. Both teams score in 50% of Crusaders's matches and 35% of Linfield's.
What form are Crusaders and Linfield in?
Over the last 5 games Crusaders have a 2-1-2 record (1.40 points per game) and Linfield 1-2-2 (1.00 points per game).
Where can I find a betting tip and analysis for Crusaders vs Linfield?
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.