NIFL confirm Irish League split schedule formula and dates ahead of thrilling Premiership finish
The Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) have confirmed the split fixture schedule formula for the final five matches of the Premiership campaign as clubs battle it out at the top and bottom.
Larne sit top of the table by five points, but Glentoran will have an opportunity to close that gap when they host Cliftonville on Wednesday night, while Glenavon and Crusaders are level in the scrap to avoid relegation.
The split promises to be full of drama this season and the fate of each club has already been sealed with a match to spare – Larne, Glentoran, Coleraine, Linfield, Cliftonville and Dungannon Swifts are guaranteed to make up the top-six.
In the bottom-six, Carrick Rangers, Portadown, Ballymena United, Bangor, Glenavon and Crusaders will all face off – the seventh-placed side will seal the final European play-off position.
Venues for the post-split fixtures will be determined based on the previous meetings between clubs during the initial 33 matches of the season and will be revealed following Saturday’s schedule.
Section A:
Matchday 34 – Weekend 27 March
1 v 5
2 v 4
3 v 6
Matchday 35 – Tuesday 7 April
1 v 3
2 v 5
4 v 6
Matchday 36 – Weekend 10 April
1 v 4
2 v 6
3 v 5
Matchday 37 – Weekend 17 April
1 v 2
3 v 4
5 v 6
Matchday 38 – Saturday 25 April (Kick-off TBC)
1 v 6
2 v 3
4 v 5
If all teams were to remain in current positions, Larne would start their split schedule against Cliftonville while Glentoran would take on Linfield in a ‘Big Two’ derby and Coleraine clash with Dungannon Swifts – that fixture remains a possible Irish Cup final showdown.
Section B:
Matchday 34 – Weekend 27 March
7 v 11
8 v 10
9 v 12
Matchday 35 – Tuesday 7 April
7 v 9
8 v 11
10 v 12
Matchday 36 – Weekend 10 April
7 v 10
8 v 12
9 v 11
Matchday 37 – Weekend 17 April
7 v 8
9 v 10
11 v 12
Matchday 38 – Saturday 25 April (Kick-off TBC)
7 v 12
8 v 9
10 v 11
If all teams were to remain in current positions, Carrick Rangers would face Glenavon in their opening split fixture, Portadown would take on Bangor and Ballymena United would clash with Crusaders.
NIFL have also confirmed the Premiership Promotion-Relegation Play-Off will be played across two legs on Tuesday 28 April and Friday 1 May.