On 22.08.2026, the sports world turns its eyes to the clash between Crusaders FC and Portadown in the Northern Ireland Premiership. This match is expected to be a nail-biter given the similar strengths of both teams. We've analyzed their recent performances, head-to-head statistics, and key players to watch. Check out our expert predictions and get ready to place your bet!
Standings of both teams
| № | Team | Played | Win | Draw | Loss | GF/GA | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Glentoran | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3/2 | 3 |
| 6 | Crusaders FC | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3/3 | 3 |
| 7 | Dungannon Swifts | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2/3 | 3 |
| 9 | Larne | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0/0 | 1 |
| 10 | Portadown | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0/2 | 0 |
| 11 | Limavady United | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1/4 | 0 |
Crusaders FC vs Portadown Historical Match Results
| League | Home | Away | Date | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premiership | Crusaders FC | Portadown | 11.04.2026 | 4-0 |
| Premiership | Portadown | Crusaders FC | 21.03.2026 | 0-0 |
| Premiership | Crusaders FC | Portadown | 06.12.2025 | 0-4 |
| Premiership | Portadown | Crusaders FC | 29.08.2025 | 2-1 |
| Premiership | Crusaders FC | Portadown | 25.01.2025 | 3-2 |
| Premiership | Portadown | Crusaders FC | 21.12.2024 | 1-0 |
| Premiership | Crusaders FC | Portadown | 21.09.2024 | 0-3 |
| League Cup | Portadown | Crusaders FC | 07.11.2023 | 2-1 |
| Premiership | Portadown | Crusaders FC | 18.03.2023 | 2-2 |
| Premiership | Crusaders FC | Portadown | 22.10.2022 | 4-0 |
| League | Home | Away | Date | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premiership | Crusaders FC | Ballymena United | 15.08.2026 | 2-1 |
| Premiership | Cliftonville FC | Crusaders FC | 07.08.2026 | 2-1 |
| Friendlies Clubs | Crusaders FC | Dundela | 01.08.2026 | 2-0 |
| Friendlies Clubs | Crusaders FC | Newington Youth | 28.07.2026 | 1-1 |
| Friendlies Clubs | Moyola Park | Crusaders FC | 25.07.2026 | 2-1 |
| Friendlies Clubs | Crusaders FC | Glenavon FC | 21.07.2026 | 2-0 |
| Friendlies Clubs | Crusaders FC | Ballinamallard United | 18.07.2026 | 0-0 |
| Friendlies Clubs | Crusaders FC | Warrenpoint Town | 11.07.2026 | 2-0 |
| Friendlies Clubs | Queen of the South | Crusaders FC | 04.07.2026 | 1-2 |
| Premiership | Crusaders FC | Annagh United | 01.05.2026 | 1-2 |
| League | Home | Away | Date | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premiership | Portadown | Dungannon Swifts | 15.08.2026 | 0-1 |
| Premiership | Carrick Rangers | Portadown | 08.08.2026 | 1-0 |
| Friendlies Clubs | Kilbarrack United | Portadown | 25.07.2026 | 0-3 |
| Friendlies Clubs | H&W Welders | Portadown | 21.07.2026 | 0-2 |
| Friendlies Clubs | Coleraine FC | Portadown | 18.07.2026 | 3-0 |
| Friendlies Clubs | Bourneview Mill | Portadown | 07.07.2026 | 2-2 |
| Friendlies Clubs | Ballyclare Comrades | Portadown | 04.07.2026 | 0-3 |
| Premiership | Bangor | Portadown | 25.04.2026 | 2-4 |
| Premiership | Ballymena United | Portadown | 18.04.2026 | 1-2 |
| Premiership | Crusaders FC | Portadown | 11.04.2026 | 4-0 |
Comparative Team Statistics: Crusaders FC VS Portadown
Last 20 Matches Statistics: Crusaders FC vs Portadown
Bookies' predictions
Crusaders FC
Betting Intelligence: Crusaders FC vs Portadown
htmlThere's something about this fixture that always delivers drama. Crusaders FC host Portadown in the Northern Ireland Premiership, and if recent history tells us anything, buckle up.
The head-to-head record is fascinating. And not always in the way you'd expect. Crusaders hammered Portadown 4-0 back in April. Yet earlier in that same season, Portadown came to Seaview and won 3-0. This is a rivalry that doesn't follow a script.
Here's what you need to watch for: the extremes. When these two meet, goals happen in bunches or not at all. Seven of their last ten league meetings produced either a clean sheet or a margin of three or more goals. Don't be fooled by the mainstream narrative about this being a tight local derby.
The current form picture tilts toward Crusaders. They've opened the new Premiership season with three points from two games, winning 2-1 against Ballymena United on matchday one. Portadown, by contrast, are winless after two outings, conceding twice without scoring a single goal. That's a brutal start and it shows in the table. Crusaders sit sixth, Portadown tenth.
Here's a surprising pattern that casual fans will miss. Every time Crusaders have hosted Portadown in a Premiership game with a clear points gap between them, they've won and won well. The 4-0 result in April, the 5-0 in December 2020, the 4-0 in August 2021. Big home wins are very much in the Crusaders playbook when confidence is riding high.
In terms of betting, the odds have Portadown as slight underdogs at 2.62 against Crusaders at 2.50. I think that's actually generous on the hosts. The draw at 3.10 looks the least appealing option given this fixture's habit of producing decisive scorelines.
My strongest recommendation is goals. The Over 2.5 market should be in your thinking given that these sides have served up 4-0 and 0-4 results in their last two meetings at this venue. Crusaders to win and both teams not to score could also offer value if Portadown's attacking struggles continue.
I'll be bold. Crusaders win this 3-0. Home advantage, better form, and a Portadown attack that has been completely misfiring make this feel straightforward.
One last thought. Northern Irish football deserves more attention than it gets. Fixtures like this one, with genuine history and genuine stakes, remind you exactly why. Don't miss it.
What's Your Pick?
Where to Bet on Crusaders FC vs Portadown
Our Crusaders FC vs Portadown betting prediction
Team Lineups and Player Details:
| Name | Country | Age | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B. Kennedy | Northern Ireland | 29 | Midfielder | 178 cm | 70 kg |
| J. Winchester | Northern Ireland | 33 | Midfielder | 178 cm | 69 kg |
| J. Williamson | Northern Ireland | 31 | Goalkeeper | n/a | n/a |
| S. Nixon | Northern Ireland | 29 | Attacker | n/a | n/a |
| J. Teelan | Northern Ireland | 23 | Attacker | n/a | n/a |
| K. Offord | Scotland | 22 | Attacker | 171 cm | n/a |
| J. James | Northern Ireland | 20 | Attacker | n/a | n/a |
| O. McKenna | Northern Ireland | 20 | Midfielder | 186 cm | n/a |
| K. Bond | Northern Ireland | 19 | Defender | n/a | n/a |
| R. Donnelly | Northern Ireland | 18 | Attacker | n/a | n/a |
| C. McEnlea | Northern Ireland | 19 | Attacker | n/a | n/a |
| B. Nsiah | Northern Ireland | 20 | Attacker | n/a | n/a |
| E. Conlon | Northern Ireland | 20 | Defender | 176 cm | n/a |
| A. Karrabecaj | Northern Ireland | 19 | Attacker | n/a | n/a |
| J. Ness | Northern Ireland | 20 | Midfielder | n/a | n/a |
| M. Beattie | Northern Ireland | 18 | Midfielder | n/a | n/a |
| M. McWilliams | Northern Ireland | 21 | Defender | n/a | n/a |
| W. Francey | Northern Ireland | 20 | Defender | n/a | n/a |
| R. Mullan | Northern Ireland | 19 | Attacker | n/a | n/a |
| B. Harrison | Northern Ireland | 19 | Midfielder | n/a | n/a |
| Name | Country | Age | Position | Height | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C. Friel | Northern Ireland | 33 | Attacker | n/a | n/a |
| C. Dobbin | Northern Ireland | 28 | Midfielder | n/a | n/a |
| C. Coyle | Northern Ireland | 26 | Defender | n/a | n/a |
| T.J. Murray | Northern Ireland | 31 | Midfielder | n/a | n/a |
| A. Hogg | Northern Ireland | 38 | Goalkeeper | n/a | n/a |
| C. Rodgers | Northern Ireland | 35 | Attacker | n/a | n/a |
| P. McElroy | Northern Ireland | 32 | Attacker | n/a | n/a |
| K. Kane | Northern Ireland | 27 | Attacker | n/a | n/a |
| P. McNally | Northern Ireland | 32 | Defender | n/a | n/a |
| J. Browne | Republic of Ireland | 25 | Attacker | n/a | n/a |
| D. Montgomery | Northern Ireland | 35 | Defender | n/a | n/a |
| Z. Barr | Northern Ireland | 31 | Attacker | n/a | n/a |
| E. Hughes | Northern Ireland | 29 | Goalkeeper | n/a | n/a |
| Z. Cowan | Northern Ireland | 20 | Midfielder | n/a | n/a |
| J. McKay | Northern Ireland | 20 | Defender | n/a | n/a |
| J. Williamson | Northern Ireland | 22 | Attacker | n/a | n/a |
| J. Wright | Northern Ireland | 19 | Goalkeeper | n/a | n/a |
| A. Little | Northern Ireland | 21 | Midfielder | n/a | n/a |
| L. Burns | Northern Ireland | 20 | Attacker | 171 cm | n/a |
| S. Somerville | Northern Ireland | 21 | Defender | n/a | n/a |
Crusaders FC vs Portadown match odds
Best Betting Sites for Crusaders FC vs Portadown
As Crusaders FC and Portadown gear up for their Northern Ireland Premiership clash, it’s time to choose where to bet. Betzoid has lined up three of the best betting sites with excellent odds and bonuses for this match. These sites are designed to offer both novice and experienced bettors a superior betting experience.
