Loss to Bangor still fresh in the mind of Dungannon Swifts supremo Rodney McAree

The Swifts left Clandeboye Park empty-handed back in August as Bangor ran out 2-1 victors.

However, McAree's men have been on a good run of form as of late, including last weekend's 4-2 success against Portadown on home soil.

"We got a good win against Portadown although we made a bit of hard work of it," he said.

"It was nice to get all three points in the bag for Christmas before heading into Boxing Day.

"Bangor beat us in the previous meeting and we want to put that right but know they have a lot of good players and have threats all over the pitch.

"I've been impressed with their results and performances since getting promoted. I always feel when a club gets promoted they have a habit of winning and always make a good start to the season.

"A few people might have predicted that they'd have a drop in form but they have stuck around in the middle of the table and have picked up good points."

A change to the playing calendar might see Boxing Day games one day fall to the wayside but McAree says he loves the festive schedule.

He explained: "I've been used to being involved in Boxing Day fixtures all my life, so I probably don't know anything different.

"I look forward to it and I know families enjoy having lunch and then going to a game.

"I mean this with no disrespect to Bangor but you're probably wanting Boxing Day to have more of a derby feel like we had against Loughgall last season."

McAree's men had a stuttering start to the season but results since then have seen the Irish Cup holders move up to fifth place in the table.

"I actually saw a graphic showing the results from the last 15 games and we are sitting pretty from that," he stated.

"Unfortunately, the results from the first five games have put a dent in that but we can't get too far ahead of ourselves.

"We are competing well and we are taking it one game at a time."