Linfield vs Cliftonville FC: prediction and stats
PremiershipRegular Season - 21Kick-off on December 19, 2026 at 03:00 PM (UTC)Windsor Park, Belfast
The Footlab model makes Linfield the favourite at 49%, against 26% for a draw and 25% for Cliftonville FC. The most likely score is 1-1.
This model is measured at 53.9% 1X2 accuracy on a temporal hold-out, against 33.3% for random guessing. See the measured accuracy
Probabilities recomputed on Aug 26, 2026. The full match card is recomputed continuously until kick-off.
Who will win Linfield vs Cliftonville FC?
A very open match: only 56 Elo points separate Linfield (1,644) and Cliftonville FC (1,588).
What is the recent form of both teams?
Over their last 15 matches in all competitions, Linfield have 6 wins, 2 draws and 7 defeats; Cliftonville FC have 7, 1 and 7.
The competition is shown for every match: in pre-season, several of these games are friendlies.
| Date | Opponent | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2026 | Cliftonville FC(home) | 1-0 | Premiership |
| Aug 15, 2026 | Glentoran(home) | 2-1 | Premiership |
| Aug 8, 2026 | Ballymena United(home) | 0-3 | Premiership |
| Jul 28, 2026 | Dollingstown(away) | 7-1 | Friendlies Clubs |
| Jul 24, 2026 | Limavady United(away) | 1-0 | Friendlies Clubs |
| Date | Opponent | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2026 | Linfield(away) | 0-1 | Premiership |
| Aug 15, 2026 | Bangor(away) | 3-0 | Premiership |
| Aug 7, 2026 | Crusaders FC(home) | 2-1 | Premiership |
| Jul 25, 2026 | Alvechurch(home) | 1-2 | Friendlies Clubs |
| Jul 21, 2026 | Warrenpoint Town(home) | 2-1 | Friendlies Clubs |
What does the head-to-head say?
Across the last 6 meetings: 3 Linfield win(s), 1 draw(s), 2 Cliftonville FC win(s).
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 21, 2026 | Linfield 1-0 Cliftonville FC | Premiership |
| Apr 25, 2026 | Linfield 1-2 Cliftonville FC | Premiership |
| Mar 1, 2026 | Cliftonville FC 2-0 Linfield | Premiership |
| Nov 2, 2025 | Cliftonville FC 0-0 Linfield | Premiership |
| Aug 24, 2025 | Linfield 1-0 Cliftonville FC | Premiership |
| Jan 25, 2025 | Linfield 2-1 Cliftonville FC | Premiership |
Last archived meeting: Linfield vs Cliftonville FC on Aug 21, 2026
How many goals should we expect?
Linfield score 1.5 and concede 1.5 goals per match over their last 15; Cliftonville FC score 1.3 and concede 1.5. The model gives a 51% probability of over 2.5 goals and 54% for both teams to score.
| Club | Goals scored / match | Goals conceded / match | Clean sheets | Both teams scored | Over 2.5 goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linfield | 1.5 | 1.5 | 2 | 8/15 | 9/15 |
| Cliftonville FC | 1.3 | 1.5 | 5 | 8/15 | 10/15 |
Over the last 15 matches in all competitions.
Where do both teams sit in the table?
Linfield sit 7th in Premiership (6 points from 3 matches) and Cliftonville FC sit 3rd (6 points from 3 matches).
| # | Club | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Cliftonville FC | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 6 |
| 7 | Linfield | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
Verdict, probable XI and verified absences
The full match card recomputes this prediction continuously until kick-off: multi-market verdict, player-by-player probable XI and web-verified absences.
Open the full match card in the app
No odds, no affiliation: the method is published and the accuracy is measured.
How does Footlab compute this prediction?
The model combines both teams' Elo ratings (anchored by competition pool), their recent form weighted by opponent strength, home advantage and a Poisson matrix for scorelines. Its accuracy is measured continuously on the predictions actually published. Methodology and measured accuracy
Frequently asked questions
- Who is the favourite for Linfield vs Cliftonville FC?
- The Footlab model makes Linfield the favourite at 49%, against 26% for a draw and 25% for Cliftonville FC.
- Where and when is Linfield vs Cliftonville FC played?
- Linfield vs Cliftonville FC is played on December 19, 2026 at 03:00 PM (UTC) at Windsor Park, in the Premiership.
- Will there be over 2.5 goals?
- The Footlab model gives a 51% probability of at least three goals in this match.
- How reliable is this prediction?
- The Footlab model is measured at 53.9% correct 1X2 outcomes on a temporal hold-out, against 33.3% for random guessing. The breakdown by competition and Elo gap is published on the accuracy page.