Ballymena United face Carrick Rangers in a Premiership fixture at the Showgrounds this week. The match pits the ninth-placed Sky Blues against a Carrick side sitting three places higher in the table.
Ballymena United's current league standing shows a team in need of a win. They have taken just four points from their opening five games, with a record of one win, one draw and three defeats. Their recent form reads LDLLW, with the most recent result a 3-2 loss away to Coleraine on 11 September. Jonathan Hood and Conor McKee, from the penalty spot, were the scorers in that defeat.
Recent history heavily favours Ballymena United in this fixture. The clubs met in a pre-season friendly on 24 July, with Ballymena running out 3-0 winners. Last season's Premiership encounters were also dominated by the Sky Blues, who won both matches. They secured a 3-2 victory at Carrick on 11 April and a 2-1 home win on 14 March.
Ballymena's start has been inconsistent. After an opening day 3-0 win at Linfield, they have struggled, losing to Crusaders and Glentoran before a 2-2 draw with Bangor. They have scored eight league goals but conceded nine.
Carrick Rangers, with nine points from their five matches, have had a mixed bag themselves. They began with a 4-0 win over Bangor but have since lost to Cliftonville, Linfield and Coleraine. They also drew 2-2 with Crusaders in the County Antrim Shield.
For Ballymena, it represents a chance to close the gap on a mid-table rival and build momentum. Manager Jim Ervin will be looking for a response after the late disappointment against Coleraine. The team's attacking output has been reasonable, with eight goals scored, but defensive solidity has been an issue.
Both sides will be without players who featured in midweek County Antrim Shield action. Ballymena United progressed with a 6-0 win over Ballymacash Rangers, while Carrick's tie with Crusaders ended level. The full squad lists and any injury updates are available on our squad page.
The match is a key opportunity for Ballymena to climb the table before a challenging away fixture against fourth-placed Dungannon Swifts on 19 December. Fans can check the upcoming schedule on the club's fixtures list.
