Glenavon head to the Ballymena Showgrounds tomorrow chasing their fourth win in a row.

If they were to achieve victory at Warden Street it would be the first time that Lurgan Blues have managed four victories on the bounce since 2019, when they defeated Linfield, Dungannon Swifts, Newry City and Crusaders during March and April.

The fact that Glenavon are sitting on three wins on the bounce following their torrid run of just a few weeks ago shows the confidence that Gary Hamilton’s side are showing in abundance at the moment.

“After sitting down in eighth or ninth over the last number of weeks and things turning sour for us, to come back in the way we have has been brilliant,” Glenavon assistant boss Paul McAreavey said.

“We’re sitting in seventh going into the last game before the split and hopefully we can keep it going.

“The results have been outstanding but you also have to look at the shape of the team and the performances, which have been excellent.

“Hopefully we can keep that going. It gives us a lot of confidence going over the final hurdle of the season.”

At the moment it’s Ballymena’s turn to endure a torrid time – they are currently on 11 league games without a win.

But underestimate the Sky Blues at your peril – games between the two sides have always been tasty encounters. There have only been two 0-0 draws between Glenavon and Ballymena in the last 15 years!

Glenavon will be without Jamie Doran, Aaron Prendergast and Harry Lynch, who are away on international duty, while Calum Birney and Mark Haughey remain out through injury.

Eoin Bradley is a doubt for Saturday’s game, but there is good news with Peter Campbell being available for selection once again. Jordan Stewart will face a late fitness test.

LAST TIME OUT: Glenavon came out on top in a topsy-turvy encounter against Ballymena United, with the Lurgan Blues eventually securing a 3-2 victory in a game that was played in front of the BBC cameras at Mourneview Park.

Ballymena grabbed the lead against the run of play when Jordan Gibson headed home a Ross Redman corner on 23 minutes, but Glenavon drew level five minutes into the second half as Matthew Fitzpatrick found the net with a header following a Jack Malone cross.

The home side took the lead eight minutes later, with captain Danny Wallace volleying in a Conor Scannell corner, but back came Ballymena just three minutes after that. Conor Keeley’s low shot was deflected into the net after Glenavon had failed to clear a Redman corner.

The hosts got their noses in front again on 67 minutes. Malone converted from the penalty spot after Fitzpatrick had been fouled by Kym Nelson.

Ballymena were then awarded a penalty in the 77th minute, as Sean Ward was adjudged to have fouled Davy McDaid, but Glenavon goalkeeper Rory Brown saved Ryan Waide’s spot-kick and Gary Hamilton’s side held on for the win.

MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE: Ian McNabb

ASSISTANT REFEREES: Paul Robinson, Adam Jeffrey

FOURTH OFFICIAL: Diarmuid Harrigan