Coleraine FC aim to continue their recent momentum when they host Glentoran in the Premiership on Friday at The Showgrounds. The Bannsiders are on a three-game winning run and sit second in the standings, just one point behind leaders Linfield with 31 points from 12 matches. Their record of ten wins, one draw, and one loss this season has them firmly in the title race.

They have won four of their last five league games, including a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory away to Larne last week. Cooper scored twice and Shevlin netted the winner in that match. Their only defeat in that period was a 1-3 home loss to Linfield in late September. This recent form of four wins and one loss has been key to their league position. The sequence of results, from most recent, was the 3-2 win at Larne on Friday 16 October, a 1-0 home victory over Cliftonville FC on Saturday 10 October, a 3-2 win at Bangor on Sunday 4 October, the loss to Linfield, and a 1-0 win over Limavady United on Saturday 19 September.

Head-to-head context

Coleraine FC have had the upper hand in recent meetings with Glentoran. The sides last met on 15 September, with Coleraine securing a 2-1 away victory.

Team news and line-ups

Coleraine are expected to field a settled defence featuring Webb, Wilson and Stewart. The attacking threat is likely to come from the in-form duo of Cooper and Shevlin, who have been among the goals recently. Shevlin also scored the only goal in the 1-0 win over Cliftonville FC. Glentoran's attack will be led by Mills and Gallagher, who will test that Coleraine backline.

Glentoran arrive with a solid run of their own, having won three consecutive matches before a goalless draw with Portadown. Their last outing was a 1-0 home win over Limavady United. They will be looking to close the gap on the top two with a positive result.

With 26 goals scored and only 12 conceded this season, Coleraine's +14 goal difference highlights their balanced strength. After this match, the team's next fixture is away to Crusaders FC on Saturday 24 October. Crusaders currently sit seventh in the table.