League leaders Linfield make the trip to the Coleraine Showgrounds, looking to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Both teams are in decent form going into this game which is reflected in the respective managers' team selections.

Coleraine head coach Dean Shiels makes just the one change to the side which defeated Loughgall 2-0 seven days ago.

Matthew Shevlin, who scored the second goal in that win, replaces fellow goalscorer Jamie McGonigle, who drops to the bench.

Blues' boss David Healy also makes just the one change as Kyle McClean comes in for injured striker Chris McKee.

Coleraine: Brown, Jarvis, Boyle, Stewart, Campbell, Scott, Shevlin, Murray, McClelland, Harkin, Glackin (c).

Subs: Little, Carse, McLaughlin, McGonigle, Gaston, Devine, Smith.

Linfield: Johns, East, Whiteside, Shields, Millar, McClean, Cooper, Allen, Mulgrew (c), McGee, Fitzpatrick.

Subs: Walsh, Ballantyne, Archer, Annett, McKay, Orr, Thompson.

Image source, BBC Sport

Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton criticised the decision to award Larne a penalty in his side's 3-1 defeat against the Irish Premiership champions.

Larne were given a spot-kick after Andy Ryan was fouled by Jonny Addis, who was subsequently sent-off.

Replays suggested that the challenge occurred outside the area and Magilton believed the decision turned the tide of the game, which was 1-1 when the penalty was awarded by referee Christopher Morrison.

"At the time I thought he was well outside the box, I thought it was a red card, but the referee just needed to take a second, he was very quick with the penalty decision," Magilton told BBC Sport NI.

"I thought Jonny had to go - he was the last man, and he has clearly pushed him, so the red card was without debate.

"But it was never a penalty, he was never anywhere near the box in terms of being inside, so I thought it was a really poor decision."

Read more from Magilton here.

Image source, Presseye

Dean Smith makes just the one change to the starting XI who suffered their fourth consecutive defeat midweek with Caolan McAleer replacing Crusaders loanee Jay Boyd.

The big news from the away side's line-up is that Jimmy Callacher returns for his first league start since over a year ago and is one of three changes to the team who were defeated 3-0 by Portadown last weekend.

Lewis Barr and Josh Williamson also start with Harry Jewitt-White, Daniel Larmour and Jordan Stewart making way and all not involved in today's squad.

Loughgall: Gartside, Rea, Murdock, Kelly, Waide, Hoey, McAleer, Kerr, Francis, Towe, McColskey.

Subs: Turker, Ferris, Norton, Gibson, Balde, Harvey.

Crusaders: Tuffey, Callacher, Blaney, Weir, Barr, O'Rourke, Williamson, Clarke, Forsythe, Franklin, Offord.

Subs: Kerr, Teelan, Owens, Smith, Vance, Nixon, James.

Image source, BBC Sport

Larne recovered from a 1-0 half-time deficit to beat Cliftonville 3-1 at Solitude on Friday night.

Read the match report here.

Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree is remaining realistic about what his side can achieve this season despite their current lofty position of fourth in the Irish Premiership table.

The Swifts are only three points behind leaders Linfield - albeit having played a game more - and will be favourites to beat bottom-placed Carrick Rangers at Stangmore Park on Saturday.

However, McAree expects to become more focused on the bottom of the table - rather than the top - as the campaign goes on.

"We’ve had a good start to the season and we probably have had more highs than lows. I don’t expect at the end of the season to have more highs than lows," says the Swifts boss.

"I expect us to be competitive and hopefully at the end of the season, we’ll have enough. Whenever you talk about league tables, I’ll know what the team at the bottom has got rather than what the team at the top has got."

McAree adds that it's inevitable his side will suffer a "blip" and that the key to the campaign will be how the players and staff respond to that.

"We’re going alright at the moment. We are playing well but it’s massively important we pick up points while we are playing well.

"We will go through a run of bad results. I’ve no doubt about that. But I believe that the people around me and the players will be able to pick themselves up whenever that happens."

McAree insists that Carrick's current position - after seven straight defeats - is not reflective of the squad Stuart King has assembled.

"I don’t expect Carrick to be in that position come the end of the season. We certainly won’t be taking Carrick lightly on Saturday."

Image source, Presseye

Dungannon welcome Carrick to Stangmore Park this afternoon, looking to pick up their fifth win of the season against the struggling visitors.

Stuart King's side have lost seven games on the bounce and currently occupy bottom spot in the Irish Premiership. With that being said, Carrick have won seven of the last nine meetings between the two sides.

Given their hot run of form, it comes as no surprise that Swifts boss Rodney McAree makes just one change to his starting XI. Gael Bigirimana comes in for Niall Owens, who drops to the bench.

Despite their horrific run, the visitors also make just one change. Steven Gordon drops out as Cameron Stewart replaces him from the start.

Dungannon Swifts: Solis Grogan, Scott, Knowles, McGovern, Dillon, Alves, Glenny, McGinty (c), Maguire, Wallace, Bigirimana.

Subs: Henderson, Scott, Owens, Boyd, Galvin, Hutchinson, Mitchell.

Carrick Rangers: Glendinning, Forsythe, Stewart, Surgenor (c), Clucas, Crowe, Cherry, Heatley, Gibson, Tilney.

Subs: McCauley, Cushley, McGuckin, Allen, Maciulaitis, Buchanan-Rolleston, Andrews.

Image source, BBC Sport

Ballymena United manager Jim Ervin has admitted he was not overly optimistic that in-form attacking midfielder Ben Kennedy would join the Showgrounds club in the summer after being transfer-listed by Crusaders.

The former Stevenage player rejected overtures from other Irish Premiership clubs to sign for the Sky Blues and has played a key role as his side have recovered from four consecutive league defeats to put together a run of five straight top flight victories.

Kennedy has chipped in with nine goals to top the Premiership goalscoring charts and help propel the Braidmen to second spot in the table ahead of this weekend's programme of fixtures.

"Ben is a quality footballer and when a player like him becomes available you have to ask the question," Ervin told BBC Sport NI.

"I’ll be honest with you, when we asked the question, did I think Ben would come to Ballymena United? Probably not, because of the other clubs that were interested in him, but to be fair to Ben he listened to the vision that we had, we had a conversation, he spoke to other clubs, and he chose to come here.

"We’re delighted. The goals that he’s scored are important ones but it’s also the confidence he has brought to the players around him."

Read more of what the Ballymena boss had to say here.

Image source, Presseye

It’s a battle of two in-form sides at Shamrock Park as Portadown, unbeaten in six league games, host Ballymena United, who are gunning for a sixth successive league victory.

Portadown boss Niall Currie, perhaps unsurprisingly, sticks with the same side which started last weekend’s impressive 3-0 win at Crusaders.

Ballymena have 15 points on the board already – it took the Sky Blues until Boxing Day last season to accumulate that tally.

They make two changes from the side which started last week’s victory over Cliftonville. Striker Johnny McMurray left that game early through injury and he is replaced in attack by Ethan Devine, while Calvin McCurry starts ahead of Joe Moore, who is named on the bench.

Portadown: McCarey, Chapman, Altintop, MacKinnon, McCullough, McCawl, Thompson, Mayse, McCartan, Ukek, Obhakhan.

Subs: Ray, D Wilson, L Wilson, McElroy, Fyfe, Wylie, Mullan.

Ballymena United: O'Neill, Rocks, McCallion, Nelson, Lafferty, Jarvis, Carson, Kennedy, Scott, McCurry, Devine.

Subs: Johnston, Gawne, Moore, O'Donnell, Brown, Stewart, Devlin.

Image source, BBC Sport

This week in our Irish Premiership predictions it has been the turn of former Irish League midfielder Shane McCabe to forecast the outcome of the weekend's six games.

Here is what Shane had to say about Saturday's games, and in retrospect what he predicted for Friday evening's match between Cliftonville and Larne.

Cliftonville v Larne - Friday 19:45 BST (watch live on BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website)

This is a massive game for both sides. Larne started the season slowly, but victory here for will see them level on points with the Reds with two games in hand. For two teams who expect to be in the title mix, it’s a huge early-season game and Cliftonville really cannot afford to lose it.

Prediction – 2-2 (result 1-3)

Coleraine v Linfield - Saturday 15:00 BST (live on Sportsound on Radio Ulster/BBC Sounds)

Another big game for both sides. Linfield have had a bit of a stutter, but they got back to winning ways last weekend. It’s a massive challenge for Coleraine and one that they must stand up to.

The pressure is on the hosts having gone full-time, but they’ve often made it difficult for the Blues at the Showgrounds. Linfield will not be over-confident, but I expect them to scrape a victory.

Prediction – 1-2

Dungannon Swifts v Carrick Rangers - Saturday 15:00 BST (live on Sportsound on Radio Ulster/BBC Sounds)

Dungannon are flying at the minute. They’ve lost just one of their last five and they’re in the top four for the first time in a long time. It’s been a difficult season for Carrick, and it’ll be a big challenge for them, but it’s time for the more established players at the club to stand up and be counted.

Prediction – 3-1

Glentoran v Glenavon -Saturday 15:00 BST (live on Sportsound on Radio Ulster/BBC Sounds)

Glenavon have stabilised somewhat over the past few games, winning one and drawing three.

Glentoran have lost three of their last four, but no-one seems to know what to expect from them in recent weeks.

Prediction – 2-0

Loughgall v Crusaders - Saturday 15:00 BST (live on Sportsound on Radio Ulster/BBC Sounds)

Dean Smith’s side are having a bit of second season syndrome, losing four of their last five.

As for Crusaders, they started well and then the wheels fell off as they’ve lost their last three. That said, I think Declan Caddell’s side will get back to winning ways at Lakeview Park.

Prediction – 0-2

Portadown v Ballymena United - Saturday 15:00 BST (live on Sportsound on Radio Ulster/BBC Sounds)

Portadown have started the season really well and are unbeaten in five. However, they’re coming up against the in-form team in the league in Ballymena, who have won their last five.

The Ports are a challenge for anyone at the moment and it’ll be another test for Ballymena but I think they’ll get over the line again.

Prediction – 2-3

Here is what is in store in the Irish Premiership this afternoon.

Image source, BBC Sport

Good afternoon and welcome to our coverage of Saturday's five-match programme in the Irish Premiership.

With Larne's Friday night win over Cliftonville taking them into the top three of the top flight table, today it's the turn of their rivals in the upper reaches of the standings to respond to the gauntlet laid down by the back-to-back champions.

Leaders Linfield face a testing trip to Coleraine as they aim to consolidate their two-point lead at the top while second-placed Ballymena United put their five-match winning streak in the league on the line when they travel to play Portadown, who themselves are unbeaten in six.

Elsewhere, Dungannon Swifts host struggling Carrick Rangers at Stangmore Park, Glentoran are at home to Glenavon and Loughgall take on Crusaders at Lakeview Park.

We will have our usual Saturday menu of text updates, live audio courtesy of Sportsound and in-play clips of the goals and key moments so rest assured, you won't miss a thing as the action unfolds.

Image source, Pacemaker Press