1. Belfast in the doldrums
Four of the league’s five clubs from the capital are in the bottom half of the division, including three of the bottom four, with only fourth-placed Dundela thriving.
2. Shamrock boys are rolling
Portadown looking ominous - the Ports have picked up 30 points from their last 12 outings and have seven clean sheets in that run, making them early title favourites.
3. No mean defenders
Indeed the Ports have conceded a league low 11 goals, while the best three defences are all in the top three and the six most resilient are all in the top half.
4. Tough job to turn the tide
Colin McIlwrath is the new boss at Knockbreda but faces a huge task to turn around the season – they are without a win in 14 league games and eight points adrift at the foot of the table.
5. Six is appealing for chasing pack
As ever, the race to secure a pivotal top six spot may go down to the wire.
Only five points separate QUB in seventh and second-from-bottom PSNI.
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