Referee Tim Marshall starts the action at Inver Park where Ballymena have made a late change to the scheduled starting XI.

Stephen O'Donnell now starts in place of Josh Carson.

Off we go at Mourneview Park!

Can Carrick end their goal drought and gain the vital three points or will Paddy McLaughlin's side make it five games unbeaten?

Portadown gets us underway at Seaview.

Jordan Forsythe captains the club on his 412th appearance for Crusaders, with Philip Lowry suspended.

The visitors kick off in bright but chilly conditions at Lakeview Park.

Benji Magee is returning to bottom side Loughgall on loan from Larne for the rest of the season.

The striker made his name at Lakeview Park last season, scoring 16 goals during the 2023-24 Premiership campaign to help the Villagers finish ninth in the top flight.

Dean Smith's side are rooted to the bottom of the table this year, however, and Magee returns having struggled for games during his five months at the Inver Reds.

"Benji will return to us with the momentum that he requires and will come back with four months more playing experience where he can hit the ground running in pre-season," added Rooney.

Image source, Press Eye

Glentoran have made a further signing by snapping up Larne midfielder Joe Thomson for an undisclosed fee.

The 28-year-old's arrival is the latest during an January transfer window which has already seen winger Christie Pattisson move from Waterford and Shane McEleney and Ciaran Coll join the Oval outfit from Derry City.

Former Scotland Under-21 international Thomson has agreed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Glens.

"I'm absolutely delighted to sign for Glentoran," said Thomson.

"As an opposition player, it was always a challenge [to play at the Oval] and I can't wait to experience that incredible support as a home player."

Read more here

Image source, Glentoran FC

Coleraine have signed Larne defender Levi Ives on a "multi-year deal".

Ives, 27, becomes the club's third arrival this month after Patrick Burns and Ronan Doherty.

Before turning out for the Inver Reds, Ives played for Torquay United, before joining Cliftonville in 2015 and making 245 appearances for the Solitude club.

He joined Larne in June 2023 for an undisclosed fee and has been an important figure for the east Antrim club as they secured back-to-back Irish Premiership titles and advanced to the league stage of the Uefa Conference League.

Read more here

Image source, David Cavan/Coleraine FC

Larne have secured the double signing of Harland and Wolff Welders duo Tiarnan O'Connor and Josh Kee.

The sought after pair have been impressing at Blanchflower Park this season, with former Maiden City striker O'Connor, 22, having netted 18 goals in the Championship.

He will bolster Gary Haveron's attacking options at Inver Park immediately, while Kee, also 22, will remain in east Belfast until the end of the season.

"We have been tracking the form of both players over a period of time now and have been really impressed with what we've seen," said Larne's head of football Nathan Rooney.

"We delivered our plans to both players and outlined how we see them playing huge parts for our football club moving forward."

Read more here

Image source, Inpho

Glenavon manager Paddy McLaughlin says his team's recent upturn in results and performances has "been down to sheer hard work by the players and staff".

The Lurgan Blues have won won five and drawn one of their past seven games in all competitions under the former Cliftonville boss who succeeded Stephen McDonnell in the role in mid-November.

An impressive 3-2 victory over second-placed Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park last weekend was particularly satisfying for McLaughlin.

"There's been no magic wand. We've had some really good performances, especially Friday night. Friday night was excellent," he said.

"We all know how good Dungannon are, how well drilled and the good football they play under Rodney so we knew we had to match that and better it if we wanted to come out on top.

"There's still a long way to go so we're not getting too carried away. We're playing well and getting good results but things can change very quickly in football."

Read more here

Image source, PACEMAKER

Glentoran clinched a dramatic County Antrim Shield success at Seaview four days ago by beating Larne 5-4 in a penalty shootout after the finalended 1-1.

Substitute Charlie Lindsay's fiercely-struck low shot into the bottom corner in the 80th minute gave the Glens a deserved lead after they had dominated much of the game and created the more clearcut chances.

Larne, who were chasing a fifth straight Co Antrim Shield triumph, levelled five minutes later when Andy Ryan slotted home a spot-kick after Cammy Palmer had been penalised for a clumsy challenge on the striker in the area.

Larne went close to netting a winner in the closing stages but the game went straight to penalties and goalkeeper Andrew Mills' save from Levi Ives proved decisive.

It is a first Shield success for the Glens since 2010 and their first piece of silverware since lifting the Irish Cup in July 2020.

Read more here

Image source, PACEMAKER

Crusaders boss Declan Caddell admits Kieran Offord "probably excelled quicker" than he thought he would after his season-long loan at Seaview was cut short by Scottish Premiership side St Mirren.

The Scottish forward scored 14 goals, including 10 in the league, during his loan spell at the club, including three against north Belfast rivals Cliftonville as he quickly established himself as a fans' favourite.

"He's had four loan spells before this one and none have really worked out," said Caddell.

"I brought in a player that I knew had a lot of potential and maybe needed that wee bit of confidence and that little bit of belief put back into him which we spent a lot of time doing and he has reaped the rewards for it.

"I'm delighted for him that once he's called back there's interest from a couple of clubs in him and that's probably testament to ourselves and to him in terms of the project we are trying to do."

Having reportedly attracted interest from Irish League clubs, Caddell admits there is a "possibility" that Offord will be lining up against the Crues in the coming months.

Read more here

Image source, Inpho

Larne make three changes from their midweek County Antrim Shield final defeat by Glentoran as they take on Ballymena in the 'Shane's Hill derby'.

There's a full debut for striker Tiernan O'Connor following his arrival from Harland & Wolff Welders, while Aaron Donnelly and Olatunde Bayode also start. Conor McKendry and Ryan Nolan drop to the bench while Levi Ives has departed for Coleraine.

Ballymena also make three changes from their scoreless draw at Carrick last weekend with Andy Scott and Johnny McMurray returning to the starting XI while Conor Barr - signed on loan from Derry City yesterday - makes his debut.

Larne: Ferguson, Cosgrove, Bolger, Donnelly, Graham, Gallagher, Randall, Sloan, Bayode, O'Connor, Ryan.

Subs: Besant, McKendry, McEneff, Nolan, Panayiotou, Brown, SImpson.

Ballymena United: O'Neill, Barr, Loughran, McCallion, Nelson, Rocks, Carson, McEleney, Corbally, Scott, McMurray.

Subs: Johnston, Gawne, Moore, O'Donnell, Devine, Hawe, Hood.

Image source, BBC Sport

Two teams who lost time out meet at Stangmore Park in a dress rehearsal for next weekend's Irish Cup sixth-round tie at the same venue.

Home manager Rodney McAree makes two changes to the side which started the 3-2 defeat against Glenavon eight days ago.

Kealan Dillion drops to the bench while Leo Alves is suspended. In their place come Tomas Galvin and former Coleraine striker Andrew Mitchell.

Bannsiders boss Dean Shiels also makes two alterations to his line-up following last Saturday's home defeat to Crusaders.

Cameron Stewart and Kyle Spence drop to the bench, making way for Dylan Boyle, back after suspension, and new signing Levi Ives, who makes his debut for the club following his switch from Larne.

Dungannon Swifts: Dunne, Scott, Curry (c), Knowles, McGovern, Glenny, Galvin, Wallace, Mitchell, Bermingham, Bigirimana.

Subs: Grogan, King, Dillon, Boyd, Maguire, Hutchinson, McAleese.

Coleraine: Brown, Kane (c), Jarvis, Boyle, Campbell, Shevlin, Murray, McClelland, Glackin, Ives, Doherty.

Subs: Little, Stewart, Scott, Spence, Burns, McGonigle, McClintock.

Image source, BBC Sport

The battle for vital league points intensifies at Lakeview Park as bottom placed Loughgall host third-placed Glentoran.

The Villagers, still searching for their first league win in 10 matches, introduce Fra McCaffrey and Alberto Balde in place of Tiernan Kelly and Conor McCloskey.

Benji Magee, recently re-signed on loan until the end of the season, is not named in the matchday squad.

The east Belfast side arrive in confident mood, unbeaten in their last 11 matches across all competitions, and hand competitive debuts to recent acquisitions Joe Thomson and Ciaran Coll.

The Glens, who claimed County Antrim Shield glory midweek, also recall Daniel Gyollai, Wassim Aouachria and Charlie Lindsay - the latter having netted in November's 2-2 draw at this venue.

Loughgall: Gartside, Rea, Murdock, Ferris, Norton, Gibson, Balde, Mahon, Carroll, Towe, McCaffrey.

Subs: Turker, Andrade, Waide, O’Brien, Francis, Boyd, McCloskey.

Glentoran: Gyollai, Lyons-Foster, Hvid, Palmer, Aouachria, Thomson, Coll, Fisher, Lindsay, Amos, Russell.

Subs: Mills, Kane, Murphy, Douglas, Johnson, Smyth, Thorndike.

Image source, BBC Sport

Crusaders will be looking to follow up on their impressive victory away to Coleraine last week with another win this afternoon at a sun-kissed Seaview.

Declan Caddell makes just the two changes, with Harry Jewitt-White and Josh O'Connor coming into the starting lineup.

New signing from Scottish side Greenock Morton, Alex King arrives too late to be involved this weekend.

Niall Currie will be hoping to steady the ship at Portadown after a number of defeats over the Christmas and early January period, culminating in last week's 3-1 defeat at home to league leaders Linfield.

Today Currie makes just the one change, with Shay McCartan coming back into the side to bring some creativity to proceedings.

Crusaders: Tuffey, Jewitt-White, Blaney, Forsythe (capt.), O'Rourke, O'Connor, Lamour, Smith, Clarke, Nixon, Franklin.

Subs: Brown, Callacher, Bond, Downey, Williamson, Owens, O'Connor, Barr.

Portadown: McCarey, Altintop, MacKinnon, Chapman, Mayse, McCullough, McCartan, Ukek, Teelan, Minzamba, Thompson (capt).

Subs: Williamson, Fyfe, Wilson, McElroy, Wylie, Traynor, Obhakhan.

Loughgall v Glentoran (15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)

I fancy Glentoran for this one. Obviously they're on a good run and building momentum as evidenced by their County Antrim Shield triumph. The return of young Benji Magee on loan will give Dean Smith's side a lift. At this stage of the season Loughgall need more goals which is the difference between winning and losing. Saying that, the Glens will edge this one on the day.

Prediction: 1-3

Larne v Ballymena United (15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)

Gary Haveron will be looking to bounce back after disappointment in the County Antrim Shield, as well as the loss of a few players too. Larne are a good strong side still, with the team they assembled for their European campaign. While Ballymena have strengthened, I think home advantage will get Larne over the line.

Prediction: 2-0

Dungannon Swifts v Coleraine (15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)

Rodney McAree has done a fantastic job, keeping the Swifts at the top end of the table, while also playing an attractive brand of football which is good to see. Dungannon's home form has been decent, although they bit of a blip last week against Glenavon, but Coleraine have been producing indifferent form. Dean Shiels has a very good squad of players but I think home advantage will play a part again.

Prediction: 2-1

Crusaders v Portadown (15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)

Declan Caddell got a good result against Coleraine away from home which will give them a lift after a couple of disappointing results. Home advantage counts and while Portadown had a good result there earlier in the season when they won at Seaview, I think Crusaders will edge this one.

Prediction: 2-1

Glenavon v Carrick Rangers (15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)

Paddy McLaughlin has gone to Mourneview Park and put a really good stamp on the Glenavon team. He's made some significant signings in goalkeeper Tadhg Ryan and young Sean Carlin from Institute. Stephen Baxter is also trying to put his stamp on Carrick Rangers with his recent transfer activity but Glenavon at Mourneview will be a battle for Carrick so I would imagine a home win there.

Prediction: 3-1

Linfield v Cliftonville (17:30 GMT, Live on BBC2 NI, BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website)

Linfield are running away with the league at the minute. They've done a brilliant job and David Healy has been doing a fantastic job in maintaining the momentum that they've got. A lot of credit has to go to the Blues for that consistency. Jim Magilton has lost Ronan Doherty to Larne and Taylor Steven to parent club St Johnstone through no fault of his own but the Reds have come away with some really good results at Windsor in recent times. Could be a close one!

Prediction: 2-2

Don't forget to join Paul with Michael McNamee on Sportsound today from 14:00 GMT for all the latest from the Irish Premiership. Available on BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Sounds and on the BBC Sport website.

Image source, BBC Sport

Paddy McLaughlin sticks with the same starting XI who defeated Dungannon Swifts last weekend as his side look to make it five games unbeaten.

There are two changes to the Carrick Rangers side who drew 0-0 with Ballymena United last weekend with Reece Webb and Kurtis Forsythe replacing the suspended Paul Heatley and Emmett McGuckin, who has joined Limavady.

Glenavon: Byrne, Toure, McKeown, Quinn, O’Sullivan, Snoddy, Malone, Atherton, Campbell, McDaid, O’Connor.

Subs: Ryan, Marshall, Doona, Lynch, Baird, Carlin, McGovern.

Carrick Rangers: Glendinning, Forsythe, O'Malley, Webb, Crowe, McCullough, Buchanan-Rolleston, Boyle, Cherry, Maciulaitis, Gibson.

Subs: McDowell, Watson, Cushley, Allen, Andrews, O'Brien, Hastings.

Image source, BBC Sport

Storm Eowyn has cleared and we're ready for a feast of Premiership football today with a full programme of fixtures.

Linfield have surged 15 points clear at the top of the table as they prepare to host Cliftonville.

The fifth-placed Reds will be bouyed by beating bottom side Loughgall last weekend to end a run of four straight league defeats.

The Windsor Park encounter has a 17:30 GMT kick-off and you can watch the action unfold on BBC2 NI, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.

The five afternoon matches include in-form Glentoran, who were celebrating a Co Antrim Shield success on Tuesday night, hoping to extend their impressive 11-game unbeaten run against Loughgall at Lakeview Park.

Dungannon Swifts sit second in the standings and they host Coleraine although a road closure sees the Stangmore Park kick-off delayed to 15:15.

Champions Larne will be out to bounce back from defeat in the Co Antrim Shield final against Ballymena United at Inver Park.

Portadown make the trip to north Belfast to take on Crusaders and Glenavon are chasing four wins on the trot in a Mourneview Park meeting with Carrick Rangers.

We'll being you live text commentary and in-play clips from all six games.

Thanks for joining us.

Image source, Press Eye