As we edge ever closer towards the end of the season, Linfield are in a strong position to lift the Irish Premiership title.

David Healy's side are 16 points clear of Glentoran in second place despite a strong recent run of form from the east Belfast side.

Glentoran have a game in hand over Linfield but it seems a matter of when, not if, the Blues, who also have a superior goal difference, are crowned champions.

In short, Linfield require four wins from their final eight matches to secure the title.

Find out when the Blues could lift the Gibson Cup here

Image source, PACEMAKER

Irish Cup holders Cliftonville secured a place in the semi-finals after defeating north Belfast rivals Crusaders 2-1 at Seaview.

Ryan Curran's header gave the Reds a first-half lead and Alex Parsons rifled into the top corner to double the advantage.

Harry Franklin nodded home to give the hosts hope but Cliftonville head on to make the last four.

Read report here

Premiership pacesetters Linfield suffered a first league loss since November as they were beaten 2-0 by Coleraine a fortnight ago.

Coleraine broke the deadlock midway through the opening half through a fine finish from Murray.

The points were secured with a little over 20 minutes remaining when Murray scored his second of the game, his right foot shot from distance deceiving Walsh and ending up in the back of the net.

That goal earned a first victory at Windsor Park against Linfield in six years for the Bannsiders.

Read report here

Irish Premiership table-toppers Linfield look to get back to winning ways with a visit to Seaview tonight, with Crusaders themselves in need of a win to help boost their chances of a top half finish before the split.

Since their Windsor Park meeting back in January, the Crues have won four of their last five games in all competitions, but haven't beaten the Blues in their last five head-to-head meetings. That includes three successive wins for Linfield on their travels to north Belfast.

Looking at tonight's line-ups, Crues boss Declan Caddell makes two changes from Saturday's Irish Cup exit to Cliftonville. Lewis Barr and Robbie Weir come in for Jordan Forsythe and Ross Clarke who both miss out.

David Healy alters his starting XI with three changes. Matthew Fitzpatrick returns to the side, with captain Jamie Mulgrew and Josh Archer also coming in. Kieran Offord, Callumn Morrison and Chris McKee all drop to the bench.

Crusaders: Tuffey, Callacher, Weir, Lowry (capt), Jewitt-White, Stewart, Blaney, O'Rourke, Larmour, Franklin, Barr.

Subs: Brown, Williamson, Smith, O'Connor, King, Boyd, Downey.

Linfield: Walsh, East, Shields, McClean, Cooper, Hall, Archer, Mulgrew (capt), McGee, Fitzpatrick, Orr.

Subs: Johns, Whiteside, Millar, Ballantyne, McKee, Offord, Morrison.

Image source, BBC Sport

Seaview hosts Crusaders and Premiership pacesetters Linfield are both aiming to get back to winning ways after losing last time out.

There was an Irish Cup exit for the Crues last Saturday as they lost 2-1 to north Belfast rivals Cliftonville at the quarter-final stage.

Linfied are are back in action two weeks after a surprise 2-0 defeat by Coleraine at Windsor Park.

It was just a fifth defeat for the Blues in the league this season and they sit 16 points clear at the top with eight matches remaining.

David Healy's side are closing in on the title but they face a side with a fine recent Premiership record.

Crusaders have won five of their last six league games and have moved up to fourth in the standings.

You can watch the drama unfold here and we'll also bring you text commentary and in-play clips.

Thanks for joining us.

Image source, PACEMAKER