Philip Major
Sportsound summariser

You look at Carrick's season, they picked up 10 points in their opening four fixtures. They were flying.

In the next 10 games, it was two wins and eight losses.

It has really been an up and down season, and they need to start building momentum again.

Colin Coates
Former Crusaders captain on BBC Sportsound

I fancy Coleraine to pick the three points and get back on the horse.

Crusaders have had a great run over the last few weeks with seven points in four games and that has probably elevated a few fears.

However, I think the quality Coleraine have in their squad, they will be too much for Crusaders.

Here is a reminder of today's fixtures as kick-off approaches across the grounds.

Image source, BBC Sport

Glenavon boss Michael O'Connor makes two changes from their defeat at Larne last weekend as Barney McKeown and Niall Quinn replace Paddy Burns and Corey Smith, who have to settle for seats on the bench.

Ballymena boss Jim Ervin makes five changes following his side's chastening County Antrim Shield exit at the hands of Cliftonville in midweek.

They include a debut for left-back Zach Nolan, whose signing was announced earlier today following his departure from League of Ireland side Bray Wanderers.

Club captain Sean O'Neill returns in goal, along with starts for Jack O'Reilly, Daithi McCallion and James Hood.

Glenavon: Byrne, McMullan, Murphy, Cartwright, Quinn, O'Kane, McKeown (c), Malone, Campbell, O'Connor, McGovern.

Subs: Hamill, Burns, McDaid, Kee, Bosakani, Smith, McShane.

Ballymena United: O'Neill (c), Toure, McCallion, O'Donnell, Clarke, Nolan, Hood, McGeough, O'Reilly, Corbally, Edogun.

Subs: Breen, Lafferty, Gould, Gawne, O'Connor, Thompson, Taylor.

Image source, BBC Sport

Ballymena United manager Jim Ervin says it would have been "criminal" if his side had not picked up a point in their 2-2 draw with Crusaders at the Showgrounds.

The Sky Blues twice came from behind to salvage a draw in an action-packed encounter.

Jarlath O'Rourke put the Crues ahead, Kian Corbally equalised, Finley Thorndike edged the visitors in front again, but Danny Lafferty's late strike restored parity again.

"First half was very end-to-end and obviously they get the goal from the free-kick," said Ervin.

"We responded the right way and we got a goal back and I thought it was just going to be a matter of time before we kicked on.

"We gave another sloppy goal away but I thought the second half was the most one-sided second half that we have been involved in this year.

"The longer the game goes on you wonder if it's not going to be your day. We had 19 attempts on goal today but to be fair to Declan's boys they put their bodies on the line, then up steps Danny Lafferty with something we know he can do."

The Ballymena boss added that he was disappointed not to take all three points.

"Credit to the boys they bounced back twice. It's two points dropped but potentially it could have been worse."

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Niall Currie makes one change from the Ports' 2-1 victory over Carrick Rangers, with Josh Ukek replacing the injured Lee Chapman.

The Reds, who swept past Ballymena United in midweek to reach the County Antrim Shield final, make a double change with PJ Morrison returning between the sticks and Eric McWoods leading the attack.

Lewis Ridd and Joe Gormley are the duo to make way.

Portadown: McCarey, Ismala, Altintop, MacKinnon, Ukek, Wylie, McCullough, Gibson, Fyfe, Teelan, Thompson (C).

Subs: Moore, Rea, Wilson, Mayse, Tabu, Annett, Quinn.

Cliftonville: Morrison, Lavery, Addis, Wilson, Hale (C), Curran, McWoods, Casey, Keaney, Hawthorne, Sheridan.

Subs: Ridd, Pepper, Falls, Bermingham, Leppard, Barr, Gormley.

Image source, BBC Sport

Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton says that Rory Hale's goal was 'top class' and praised his side's work ethic, attitude and application during their 1-0 victory against Coleraine at Solitude.

The Reds broke the deadlock just before the break when Rory Hale converted Keevan Hawthorne's pass.

Cliftonville are now unbeaten in their last 16 games against the Bannsiders, who remain top of the table despite the defeat.

"In the end, you can take a deep breath when the game is over," Magilton told BBC Sport NI.

"I thought the goal we scored was a really top-class goal and if you watch football all weekend, you might not see a better goal in terms of the way we moved, passed the ball and Rory's finish.

"We dug in so well. I thought our work ethic, attitude and our application were outstanding and another clean sheet [their fourth in a row in the league]."

After a challenging start to the season, when the Reds were without a victory in their opening four games, they have found form and now move into the top six.

Magilton's side sit three points behind fifth-placed Dungannon Swifts.

Cliftonville's attention now turns to Tuesday night, when they face Ballymena United for a spot in the County Antrim Shield final.

"It is about building on the confidence and the momentum in the football club and the players," Magilton continued.

"We have a more settled team now and that is important in selection and players coming off the bench have to add worth and value. Today they did that.

"We won the game today and we have to build on that coming into December when we have a lot of games."

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Dungannon Swifts come into today's game with five wins in their last five home games including a 2-0 victory over today's visitors during October.

Rodney McAree makes two changes to his starting line-up which defeated Glentoran at The Oval last time out.

Peter Maguire comes in for the injured Caolan Marron, while Leo Alves starts in place of the suspended Sean McAllister.

Gary Haveron's side come this game following victory over Coleraine on Tuesday which moved them top of table.

The Larne boss makes one change; Mark Randall starts due to injury to Dan Bent.

Dungannon Swifts: Dunne, Scott, Maguire, Kelly, Knowles, Alves, Glenny, McGinty, Wallace, Bigirimana (C), Junior

Subs: Glass, T. Maguire, Smith, McAleese, McCarron, Mitchell, Liggett

Larne: Ferguson, Cosgrove (C), Ridley, Nolan, Donnelly, S. Graham, Gallagher, Randall, Miller, McKendry, O'Connor

Subs: D. Graham, Wallace, Simpson, McEneff, Magee, Lusty, O'Neill

Image source, BBC Sport

Larne manager Gary Haveron says his team were ''excellent from start to finish'' after they defeated Coleraine 2-1 on Tuesday.

The cold north coast air didn't stop Leroy Millar from scoring his first goal of the season, before Sean Graham doubled their lead as half-time approached.

Matthew Shevlin got one back for Coleraine in stoppage time, but it wasn't enough to get anything from the game.

"I thought to a tee they carried out the game-plan to perfection," Haveron told BBC Sport NI.

"I thought they were excellent from start to finish and we rightfully got in ahead at two nil. If Conor's (McKendry) one had have sneaked into the bottom, it would've been the perfect first half performance.

"[We were] really secure at the back, really solid all over the park, and we were a constant threat on the counter attack. To come away with the three points, I'm absolutely delighted.''

Coleraine sat top of the league coming into this game, but this result means Larne overtake them to go first and two points clear despite Haveron commending Coleraine's "incredible" signings.

''We just look after ourselves and turn our attention to Dungannon, which is going to be a really difficult game,''

Image source, Pacemaker Press

After a strong start to the season, Carrick Rangers come to Windsor Park this afternoon with four losses in their last five Irish Premiership matches.

The Blues on the other hand are unbeaten in seven in the league, winning the last five head-to-head meetings between the two side.

David Healy makes two changes to his side who defeated Crusaders 1-0 on Tuesday night.

In come Ben Hall and Callumn Morrison for Scot Whiteside and Kyle McClean who both miss out.

The visitors have never won at Windsor Park in their history, but boss Stephen Baxter has numerous times, and he makes four changes to his starting XI from last weekend's home defeat by Portadown.

Billy Joe Burns, Aidan Steele, Ben Buchanan-Rolleston and Kyle Cherry replace Ryan Waide, Jack Scott, Paul Heatley and Linfield loanee Ryan McKay.

Linfield: Johns, Roscoe, Millar (capt), Allen, Hall, McKee, Brown, Baird, Fitzpatrick, McCullough, Morrison.

Subs: Walsh, Yates, Mulgrew, McGee, Taylor, Graham, Wade.

Carrick Rangers: Gartside, Burns, Callacher, Gibson, Lecky, McCullough (capt), Steele, Buchanan-Rolleston, Crowe, Cherry, Snoddy.

Subs: Pengelly, Waide, Clucas, Boyd, Glendinning, Scott, McCawl.

Image source, BBC Sport

Linfield manager David Healy feels their 1-0 win over Crusaders on Tuesday could have been more comfortable, but is happy with another three points on the board.

The Blues hit the woodwork three times in the first half through Kirk Millar, Charlie Allen and Chris McKee, while they went close on a number of occasions.

However, McKee finally broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time and although his side had further chances, it was enough to secure the win.

"It was hard fought, but I thought for large parts of the first half we should have extended our lead with the amount of opportunities we had," Healy told BBC Sport NI.

"That was frustrating and there were moments in the second half where (we could have been) a bit cleaner and tidier and added to our lead.

"Crusaders are dogged, Decky (Caddell) knows the league and they have big 'Chicken' (Jordan Owens) on the line too, so they aren't going to come, wave the white flag and hand three points over.

"I'm pleased with the outcome, pleased with the win and we'll move on to Carrick on Saturday."

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Third from bottom Crusaders host second-placed Coleraine with both looking to put behind them disappointing midweek defeats.

Today's hosts went down 1-0 to Linfield at Windsor Park while the Bannsiders lost by the odd goal in three to new table toppers Larne.

Crues head coach Declan Caddel makes three changes to that which started against Linfield as Brendan Hamilton, Elliot Dunlop and Ross Clarke drop to the bench.

In their place come Jacob Blaney, Evan Easton and the vastly experienced Jordan Forsythe.

Bannsiders' boss Ruaidhri Higgins goes one better, making four changes to his starting XI from Tuesday night with the headline news that the 20 goal strike force of Matthew Shevlin and Joel Cooper don't start.

Out go the injured duo of Matthew Shevlin and Rowan McDonald, with Joel Cooper and Kodi Lyons-Foster starting the afternoon among the replacements.

Their places are taken by Dean Jarvis, Lewis McGregor, Zane Okoro and striker Declan McManus.

Crusaders: Tuffey, Forsythe, Blaney, Brooks, Easton, Forsythe, O'Rourke (c), Williamson, Bryden, McCart, Anderson.

Subs: Nimaga, Hamilton, Thorndike, Dunlop, Nixon, McCart, Clarke.

Coleraine: Harris, Kane (c), Jarvis, Boyle, McGregor, Patching, Ives, Glackin, Dunne, Okoro, McManus.

Subs: Webb, Lyons-Foster, Cooper, Doherty, McGonigle, Stewart, Devlin.

Image source, BBC Sport

Crusaders manager Declan Caddell insists striker Fraser Bryden is "going nowhere" despite rumours of a January move.

The 21-year-old Scot has made a major impact since arriving at Seaview in the summer, netting 13 goals.

Caddell accepts such a strike rate will draw attention from clubs within the Irish League and further afield, but has no fears the rumours will unsettle the player.

"Fraser is a level-headed kid," Caddell told BBC Sport NI following his team's 1-0 defeat by Linfield on Tuesday.

"The full focus is on ourselves and he doesn't let the outside noise annoy him.

"Of course, when you're hitting those heights you're going to get noticed and there will be talk about you, but he is a Crusaders player and he will always put the club first. At the minute he is going nowhere and his full focus is with us."

Image source, Inpho

Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins says "the honeymoon period is over" after his side's 2-1 loss against Larne at the Coleraine Showgrounds on Tuesday.

Leroy Millar and Sean Graham scored late in the first half to give the away side the lead with Conor McKendry coming close to netting Larne's third before the half-time whistle.

Despite Matthew Shevlin's late goal, Coleraine couldn't create a dramatic late comeback with Higgins labelling the performance from his side as "unacceptable"

This result means that, for the first time this season, Ruaidhri Higgins' side suffered back-to-back defeats after losing against Cliftonville on Saturday.

"That is what I said in there, the honeymoon period is over," Higgins told BBC Sport NI.

"We have to step up, all of us, and we will see in the coming days what we are made of really and it is important that we respond in the right manner to a bad four days.

"I demand that we respond in the right manner, get back on the horse and start winning football matches."

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Colin Coates
Former Crusaders captain on BBC Sportsound

Glentoran never really got going and Bangor were fairly comfortable.

Once Bangor got the goal, the game opened up a bit and Glentoran had to push.

Glentoran boss Declan Devine said that while he was "frustrated" by their 1-1 draw with Bangor, he could not fault his players' "desire" at Clandeboye Park.

Pat Hoban rescued a point for the Glens, levelling eight minutes after Tiarnan Mulvenna's stunning strike had put Bangor ahead.

Hoban then squandered two late chances as Glentoran's winless run in the league stretched to three games, but Devine praised his players after questioning their application in defeats to Glenavon and Dungannon Swifts.

"I thought we deserved to win it, we had more clear-cut chances and that's not being disrespectful to Lee [Feeney] and his team because they ask questions of you," Devine told BBC Sport NI.

"We were the team really trying to win the game, we are frustrated we weren't able to take the opportunities presented to us, but one thing I can't question is the hunger and desire of the players to keep going.

"I can't be critical, we had a lot of big performances, but no one's celebrating a point, we know we have to be better."

Image source, Presseye

Bangor boss Lee Feeney said that he was "really pleased" for midfielder Tiarnan Mulvenna, who scored a stunning goal in the Seasiders' 1-1 draw against Glentoran.

Mulvenna fired home from long range on 70 minutes to open the scoring, with Pat Hoban snatching a point for the Glens at Clandeboye with a goal eight minutes later.

Feeney praised Mulvenna's all-round display as well as his super strike which helped earned the point that moved Bangor up to seventh in the table.

"He deserved that, I'm really pleased for him, he puts so much effort in and I've mentioned before unsung heroes of the team and he's one of them," Feeney told BBC Sport NI.

"I hope he gets a bit of publicity for his performance and goal. Tiarnan has that in the locker, but the work he does off the ball too is fantastic."

Bangor are now winless in their last six league games after a tough November, but Feeney was heartened by their display against the Glens and believes they deserved a point.

"The last couple of minutes they were putting us under a bit of pressure and I was hoping we could see it out. I thought we did enough to get something out of the game," he added.

"We defended really well, attacked really well and won our midfield battles. It would have been disappointing if we didn't get anything so delighted to get something out of it."

Image source, Presseye

Watch highlights as Bangor draw 1-1 with Glentoran in the Irish Premiership.

Read the match report here.

Here's how the league table looks ahead of today's action in the Irish Premiership.

Image source, BBC Sport

Good afternoon and welcome to our coverage of what promises to be an exciting five-match programme in the Irish Premiership.

Leaders Larne will aim to continue their recent good form and consolidate their position at the top of the league table as they travel to Stangmore Park to face Dungannon Swifts,

Coleraine have fallen two points behind the pacesetters and they face a testing trip to Seaview to rake on Crusaders this afternoon.

Elsewhere Linfield can leapfrog Belfast 'Big Two' rivals Glentoran into third place if they can come out on top in their meeting with Carrick Rangers at Windsor Park.

Bottom-of-the-table Glenavon encounter Ballymena United at Mourneview Park as they try to close the gap on the sides above them while Portadown host in-form Cliftonville in Saturday's other game.

We'll keep you right up to date with all the drama and action as it unfolds with live audio coverage on Sportsound from 14:00 BST, plus text updates and in-play clips throughout the afternoon, then a report, highlights from all five fixtures and reaction to the day's events.

Stay with us, we have you covered.