Two sides starting to find their form again after respective sticky periods lock horns at the Oval.

Glentoran make one change from last weekend's 2-0 win over Dungannon Swifts.

Club captain Marcus Kane went off injured early on in that game and the man who replaced him, Finley Thorndike, starts today.

Carrick boss Stephen Baxter keeps faith with the same starting XI who helped earn victory over Coleraine in Baxter's first game in charge seven days ago.

Glentoran: Gyollai, Hvid McClean, Singleton, Connolly, Amos, Sule, Thorndike, Palmer, Donnelly, FIsher.

Subs: Mills, Lyons-Foster, Aouachria, Parfitt, Lindsay, Jenkins, Douglas.

Carrick Rangers: Glendinning, Forsythe, Stewart, McCullough, Buchana-Rolleston, Crowe, Clucas, Cherry, Maciulaitis, Heatley, Gibson.

Subs: McCauley, Surgenor, Cushley, McGuckin, Allen, Andrews, Given.

Image source, BBC Sport

The home side with another half chance as Sean Stewart's pass flies across the box, but no one in a red shirt can steer it home.

Gareth Deane makes his first save of the day as he gathers Shea Kearney's looping cross from the right wing.

Cliftonville are starting to dominate possession and push into the final third.

Two teams in contrasting form meet in the second 'A26' derby of the season at the Warden Street Showgrounds.

Ballymena United lost 4-2 at Coleraine back in August but since then have gone on a run which has seen them win their last eight league games in a row.

Today's opponents, meanwhile, have lost their last three games, slipping into the bottom half of the table and increasing pressure on head coach Dean Shiels in the process.

United manager Jim Ervin makes two changes to the team which started last week's 1-0 win at Glenavon.

Daniel Lafferty hasn't recovered from an injury picked up in that game while Joe Moore starts his afternoon on the bench.

In their place come defender Sean Brown and striker Jonathan McMurray.

Bannsiders' boss Dean Shiels also makes two changes to the team which lost 2-1 at Carrick Rangers as Cameron Stewart misses out through injury and Connor Murray is named among the replacements.

In their place come Kyle McClelland, back after a one match suspension, and striker Jamie McGonigle.

Ballymena United: O'Neill (c), Nelson, Rocks, Jarvis, Kennedy, Scott, McCurry, Brown, McCallion, McMurray, Carson.

Subs: Johnston, Coates, Gawne, Moore, O'Donnell, Devine, Devlin.

Coleraine: Little, Jarvis, Boyle, Kelly, Campbell, Scott, Shevlin, McClelland, Harkin, Glackin (c), McGonigle.

Subs: Brown, Murray, Carse, McLaughlin, Gaston, Devine, Smith.

Image source, BBC Sport

It's a return to Premiership action for Larne at Inver Park this afternoon as they host Crusaders.

The back-to-back champions may have a Conference League showdown against Shamrock Rovers to look forward to this week, but first up is their attempt to make ground on leaders Ballymena.

Tiernan Lynch's side sat out last weekend due to U21 international call-ups so aside from a 4-0 win over Newington in the Co. Antrim Shield 12 days ago, they have been licking their wounds following a disappointing 3-0 loss to Dungannon Swifts.

Lynch has rung the changes from that defeat a fortnight ago as Jordan McEneff, Cian Bolger, Ryan Nolan and Matthew Lusty drop out, with Shaun Want, Levi Ives, Conor McKendry and Paul O'Neill starting today.

As for Crusaders, Declan Caddell has named an unchanged team from the one that began last week in their 3-2 defeat to Linfield. That means Robbie Weir takes his place despite lasting 17 minutes against The Blues.

Larne: Ferguson, Want, Ives, Thomson, McKendry, O'Neill, Graham, Todd, Cosgrove, Gallagher, Ryan.

Subs: Besant, Randall, Magee, Seary, Bolger, Sloan, Lusty

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

Subs: Kerr, Jewitt-White, Teelan, Williamson, Owens, Smith, Nixon

Image source, BBC Sport

Peter Campbell tries to control a loose ball in a good position, but the last men back for Cliftonville deal with the danger.

Nothing to keep you informed about in the opening five minutes of this one.

It's the perfect conditions for the game here as it's a lovely sunny day.

In the League of Ireland, Derry City kept their title hopes alive as they defeated Dundalk 2-0 at Oriel Park, a result which also confirms the home side will be relegated to Division One.

Starting debutant Colm Whelan scored after just 16 minutes before Will Patching doubled their lead from the penalty spot in the second half.

The result puts an end to the Candystripes' run of five league games without a victory.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division leaders Shelbourne defeated Waterford with fellow title contenders Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick's also winning.

"It was an absolutely brilliant win," said Higgins.

"It's a tough place to come to. It was a professional performance."

Image source, Inpho

Watch the best of the action from Linfield's win over Loughgall.

It's worth it to watch Joel Cooper's stunning goal alone. If you haven't seen it yet, then check it out.

We're underway at Solitude!

Can Cliftonville get back to winning ways or will the away side be the victors this afternoon?

Image source, BBC Sport

Jim Magilton, who be looking to end a four-game run without a win in the league, makes four changes to the starting XI who were defeated by Carrick Rangers two weeks ago with Conor Pepper, Shea Kearney, Rory Donnelly and Ryan Corrigan starting.

Arran Pettifer, Ryan Curran and Micheal Glynn drop to the bench with Taylor Steven not involved in today's squad.

Glenavon also come into this game on the back of defeat as they suffered a 1-0 loss last weekend against Ballymena United. There are three switches to the team who started last Saturday with David Toure, Michael O'Connor and Keith Ward replacing Barney McKeown, David McDaid and Jamie Doran.

Cliftonville: Odumosu, Pepper, S. Stewart, Addis, Newberry, Hale, Kearney, Donnelly, Leppard, Doherty, Corrigan.

Subs: Ridd, Pettifer, Curran, Piesold, Gormley, Markey, Glynn.

Glenavon: Deane, Marshall, Toure, Carroll, O'Sullivan, Quinn, Malone, Snoddy, O'Connor, Campbell, Ward.

Subs: Byrne, Doran, Toure, Doona, Lynch, Atherton, McGovern, Wilson.

Image source, Inpho

Linfield assistant manager Ross Oliver says he would have wanted a better performance in the 3-1 win over Loughgall but securing the three points was the ultimate aim at Lakeview Park.

Oliver was in charge in the dugout with boss David Healy suspended as the Blues secured a victory which takes them two points clear at the top of the Premiership.

A quick-fire double put Linfield in control with a superb Joel Cooper strike followed a minute later by Kirk Millar slotting home.

Nathaniel Ferris pulled one back for the bottom side from a penalty midway through the second half.

Charlie Allen eased Linfield nerves by sealing the win with a wonderful run and shot in added time.

"Performance wise we probably would have wanted a better display but it doesn't really matter as we have the three points," he said.

We've had a look at the top six, now here's how the bottom half of the table looks.

Here's how things stand at the top of the Irish Premiership table.

Image source, Inpho

BBC Sounds

You can listen to today's Irish Premiership action live on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster.

Michael McNamee is in studio and is joined by former Glentoran and Crusaders defender Paul Leeman.

We'll have reporters at all five games and will have the goal updates as they go in.

Image source, Inpho

Linfield are the new Premiership pacesetters after beating basement team Loughgall 3-1 at Lakeview Park.

Joel Cooper put the Blues in front with a superb 15th-minute strike, cutting inside and curling into the top corner.

It was 2-0 for the dominant visitors a minute later as winger Kirk Millar slotted into the Loughgall net.

Nathaniel Ferris gave the Villagers hope with a penalty on 67 minutes but Charlie Allen smashed home in added time to seal victory.

The win sees Linfield move two points clear of Ballymena United at the top.

Image source, BBC Sport

Former Glentoran and Crusaders player Paul Leeman will join Michael McNamee as the special guest on this weekend's Sportsound programme on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Ulster and the BBC Sport website from 14:00 BST on Saturday.

Glentoran v Carrick Rangers: Glentoran are in good form, confidence is high after three wins on the bounce. I believe they will have too much for Carrick.

Prediction: 2-0 Glentoran

Larne v Crusaders: Crusaders face a huge task away to Larne whose last league game ended in a 3-0 defeat by Dungannon Swifts. Tiernan Lynch will demand a big response from his players!

Prediction: 3-1 Larne

Ballymena Utd v Coleraine: The Ballymena v Coleraine derby game is a huge one for both teams. Ballymena are on a superb run, but could this be the stage for Coleraine to bounce back after last week’s defeat at Carrick?

Prediction: 1-1

Cliftonville v Glenavon: Cliftonville have had a poor season so far by their standards and having lost their last three in the league. They will see Glenavon at Solitude as a game they can get a positive result in.

Prediction: 1-0 Cliftonville

Dungannon Swifts v Portadown: Dungannon lost an injury time goal last time out v Ports so they will want to avenge that defeat, but I feel the game will be close once again.

Prediction: 1-1

After Linfield's win last night, we've five more tasty fixtures this afternoon.

Image source, bb

One down, five to go.

Linfield beat Loughgall last night to return to the top of the Irish Premiership table.

Now, the remaining 10 teams will take to the pitch in what promises to be a busy afternoon of Irish Premiership action.

You can listen to all five matches on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster, and we'll also have live updates right here.

We'll have goal updates too, so you won't miss a thing.

Image source, Press Eye