MANAGERLESS Glenavon travel to the Showgrounds on Saturday on the back of a nine game losing streak to face the in-form Braidmen.

The Lurgan Blues dismissed manager Colin Malone a fortnight ago and former Ballymena United supreme Alan Fraser - the last manager to win a trophy at Warden Street - will be in charge of the Mourneview Park side this weekend.

Bad news for Fraser is that his former side have now gone an incredible eleven games without defeat after their sensational win over Glentoran at the Oval on New Years' Day.

The last ten years have proved to have been fairly even between the two sides, as in the 34 meetings over the last decade - both United and Glenavon have 13 wins apiece with eight draws.

However, the recent meetings have proved a different tale as Ballymena United have won eight of the last 13 ties between the sides, with Glenavon only winning three of those.

There have already been three meetings between the sides this season, which the Sky Blues hold the advantage with two victories.

The opening day of the Irish League campaign at Mourneview Park produced a solid 2-1 victory for the Sky Blues as Kevin Kelbie and Davitt Walsh were among the goals.

In the opening weeks of the season Tommy Wright's men clashed with the Lurgan side home and away in the group stage of the CIS Insurance League Cup, firstly winning 3-1 at Mourneview Park, as Garth Scates scored twice with Mark Picking bagging the third for an easy victory.

The home game in the League Cup was a much different affair as Glenavon raced iinto a three goal lead after less than half an hour only for Ballymena to pull three back and nearly snatch victory.

You have to go back to August 2006 for Ballymena's last victory over Glenavon at the Warden Street venue, on the opening day of the 2006/2007 league season the Sky Blues ran away 4-2 winners.

Glenavon's last victory at the Showgrounds was in December 2005, winning 3-2 ironically after the Sky Blues had just claimed victory over Glentoran at the Oval.

Tommy Wright will have virtually a fully fit panel to choose from, with only Aidan Watson being the sole absentee in the pack - despite his return to light training this week.

Glenavon will have new signings Trevor Molloy (Motherwell) and Andrew Hageman (Drogheda United) available after their international clearance came through.