Joe Thomson is booked for a late challenge on Chris McKee.

Jordan Jenkins looks to be through on goal with only the goalkeeper to beat, but he can't quite beat the offside trap.

Linfield can count themselves lucky there after Cameron Ballantyne loses the ball cheaply in a dangerous area.

Colin Coates
Glenavon first team coach on BBC iPlayer

We're nearly 30 minutes in and we've barely mentioned Joe Cooper. Credit to Glentoran, they have kept him quiet, and he hasn't been able to put his stamp on the game.

Nice work from Ethan McGee down the right as he plays a one-two with Cameron Ballantyne, but can't quite get on the end of his teammates return pass.

Half an hour played and the closest we've come to a goal was Daniel Amos free-kick, which was easily dealt with by David Walsh.

Midway through the first half and you'd have to say Glentoran are looking the more likely of the two sides, just about.

That being said, neither side have had any real clear cut chances so far.

The game is beginning to open up more now after a tense opening 10 minutes.

Both sides have enjoyed spells of possession and brief attacks, with Glentoran looking the more dangerous of the two sides going forward.

Marcus Kane thwarts a dangerous Linfield counter attack as he fouls Joel Cooper in a wide area.

Kyle McClean swings the resulting free-kick into the box where Matthew Orr heads back across goal but Daniel Gyollai is quick off his line and gathers.

First shot on target sees a Daniel Amos shot from distance as the Glens were awarded a free-kick following a Chris Shields foul.

Amos forces David Walsh into a save down to his right-hand side, which the Linfield goalkeeper deals with fairly comfortably.

Colin Coates
Glenavon first team coach on BBC iPlayer

There will be a bit of pressure on Kieran Offord, he has big shoes to fill with Matthew Fitzpatrick out, there will be a bit of nerves, but he was the focal point for Crusaders in the first half of the season.

We're underway at the Oval for this Irish Cup last 16 Big Two derby.

Who will come out on top in this one?

Thumbs up for Glentoran, thumbs down for Linfield!

Glenn Ferguson
Former Linfield and Glenavon striker on BBC iPlayer

Whoever wins this tonight will be favourites to win this competition. I think the incentive is there for Linfield to put the record straight.

Matthew Fitzpatrick will be a massive miss he is the focal point for Linfield and runs the channels well, but Kieran Offord has an opportunity now.

It is going to be tight, and it could go to penalties. I hope Kieran Offord can be the hero tonight.

Paul Leeman
Former Glentoran captain on BBC iPlayer

Glentoran have had the upper hand this year, but it is a one-off cup game and it is all about who turns up tonight and plays their normal game.

Linfield have a few players missing but they still have quality as do Glentoran, it is going to be a really tough game and a tough one to call.

They have become part and parcel of the January transfer window over recent years - pre-contract agreements.

Deals made mid-season between clubs for the transfer of players nearing the end of their contracts at the end of the campaign have become commonplace across Europe.

Interestingly though the Irish League adopts rules that are not applied in some other major leagues including the Premier League, meaning that players can agree moves within the same jurisdiction, that is to other Irish League clubs.

BBC Sport NI assesses some of the issues surrounding pre-contracts and how they have affected the domestic game in Northern Ireland.

Read more here.

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Linfield boss David Healy admitted he was "surprised" that Linfield and Crusaders were the only Irish Premiership clubs in action on Tuesday night.

The Blues moved 19 points clear at the top of the Irish Premiership table as goals from Joel Cooper and Chris McKee saw them to a 2-1 win over Declan Caddell's side at Windsor Park.

Healy's players were back in action a little over 72 hours after beating Cliftonville by the same score on Saturday evening and faced another quick turnaround before taking on Glentoran at the Oval in the sixth round of the Irish Cup tonight.

With the impact of Storm Darragh last year, other weather-related postponements since, and Glentoran's game with Larne on 18 January being abandoned due to floodlight failure in the second half, Healy expected Linfield's rivals to also be in action.

"I'm surprised that we were the only team on, to be honest," he said.

"We requested right at the start, before the Irish Cup draw, [to play Crusaders] next Tuesday.

"But we were forced and told that this game had to be played this week because everybody has to catch up games.

"Then I see some of the other teams who had games cancelled through the storm we had a little while ago, people's generators not working, yet there's no other games in our league on Tuesday."

Image source, Pacemaker Press

BBC iPlayer

You can watch tonight's game now on iPlayer and the BBC Sport website by clicking the play button above.

Thomas Kane will present the programme and will be joined by former Glentoran defender Paul Leeman and former Linfield striker Glenn Ferguson.

Michael Clarke will be on commentary alongside Glenavon coach Colin Coates.

Glentoran have bolstered their attack by signing Nathaniel Ferris from Irish Premiership strugglers Loughgall on a three-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee.

The 26-year-old striker moved to the Oval just three days after scoring against the Glens in a 2-1 defeat at Lakeview Park, his sixth of the season in the top flight this campaign.

The Glens moved for Ferris after missing out on Kieran Offord, who joined rivals Linfield last week.

Ferris is Loughgall's all-time leading goalscorer, netting 74 goals in 184 appearances, having also previously played for Dungannon Swifts, Annagh United and Portadown.

He played a major part in Loughgall's Championship-winning campaign in 2022-23, then found the net 15 times in the Irish League's top division in 2023-24.

Ferris becomes Glens manager Declan Devine's fifth signing of the January transfer window, joining Shane McEleney, Ciaran Coll, Christie Pattison and Joe Thomson.

"I'm absolutely delighted to join Glentoran. It's a massive club, and when a team of this size comes calling, it's hard to say no," said Ferris.

"Loughgall has been fantastic to me throughout my career and I've thoroughly enjoyed my time there, but I'm an ambitious player and I felt this was the perfect moment to take the next step and join one of the top sides in the Premiership."

Devine commented: "Nathaniel is a player who has impressed us for some time and we've been tracking his progress closely, so we're thrilled to welcome him to the Oval.

"He brings a new dimension to our forward line and perfectly complements the talent we already have in the squad."

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Joel Cooper opened the scoring before two fine finishes from Kyle McClean helped the clinical Blues progress to the decider for the first time since 2021.

Substitute Junior had pulled a goal back for Glentoran.

The two most successful clubs in Irish Cup history lock horns at the Oval tonight as 23-times winners Glentoran welcome 44-time winners Linfield.

Both teams are in strong form, with the Blues unbeaten in nine and Glentoran themselves unbeaten in 11.

Declan Devine makes four changes to his side that defeated Loughgall last weekend. In come captain Marcus Kane, Fuad Sule, Christie Pattisson and Jordan Jenkins with Frankie Hvid, Charlie Lindsay, Jonathan Russell, Wassim Aouachria making way.

David Healy hands January signing Kieran Offord his first start for Linfield, as he leads the line in place of the suspended Matthew Fitzpatrick. Ben Hall and Dane McCullough also come in with Sam Roscoe and Euan East both missing out through injury.

Glentoran: Gyollai, Lyons-Foster, Kane (capt), Sule, Palmer, Thomson, Coll, Fisher, Amos, Pattisson, Jenkins.

Subs: Mills, Connolly, McEleney, Lindsay, Russell, Douglas, Thorndike.

Linfield: Walsh, Hall, McCullough, McGee, Orr, Shields (capt), McKee, McClean, Ballantyne, Cooper, Offord.

Subs: Johns, Allen, Millar, Archer, Burns, Annett, McKay.

Image source, BBC Sport

Glentoran v Linfield (Friday, 19:45 GMT, live on BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website from 19:30 GMT)

Declan Devine appears to have given his team a real buzz at present, securing the Country Antrim Shield and that taste of success. Linfield on the other hand, have failed to beat the Glens this year. I think this may be their moment.

Prediction: 1-2 AET

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

It will be a difficult trip to Ferney Park for Carrick Rangers. A good cup run is very possible, given the quality and experience they have backing their side, but I won't expect them to have it easy.

Prediction: 0-1

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

Back-to-back fixtures are always difficult to call, especially following last week's 1-1 draw [in the Irish Premiership], with a last-minute Coleraine equaliser. Dungannon are the Premiership's surprise package of the year, with underrated quality throughout. Both sides tasted regional trophy success as of late and it'll be a difficult one to call. This one could go either way.

Prediction: 2-1

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

A capable Dollingstown team, who will be hoping to secure promotion to the Championship. Loughgall were unfortunate not to get a result against the Glens [in the Irish Premiership] and now have a welcome distraction from their league campaign. It will be interesting to see how they cope with having the favourites tag.

Prediction: 2-1

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

Having knocked out Larne and being well placed in the Championship, this experienced Limavady side have every chance to shock Crusaders, however, I think the Crues, with the home advantage, will be in the hat for the next round.

Prediction: 2-0

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

Cliftonville have won one of their previous league fixtures. A side littered with talent, and they are the cup holders, however Glenavon are on the crest of a wave with four consecutive wins. A tough challenge at Solitude, but I think Glenavon will take the win.

Prediction: 0-1

Bangor v Annagh United (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)

Two sides that have a real expectation of promotion to the Premiership and are enjoying impressive league campaigns. Annagh have shown confidence in the last three league outings, however, I think Bangor will take it with a late winner.

Prediction: 3-2

Moyola Park v Ards (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)

Both sides are showing inconsistent form, however, I think the Championship side will progress in the cup.

Prediction: 1-2

Don't forget to join Sean Ward and the rest of the commentary team alongside Michael McNamee on Sportsound this week from 14:00 GMT on Saturday for all the latest from the Irish Cup. Available on BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Sounds and on the BBC Sport website.

Image source, Inpho

Linfield midfielder Cammy Ballantyne says that his side want to "turn the tables" and claim a first win of the season over rivals Glentoran in tonight's Irish Cup sixth round tie.

Glentoran have won three of the four meetings between the two sides in all competitions this season, with the other game ending in a draw.

But Ballantyne believes the Blues can claim a much needed Big Two win as last year's beaten finalists look to book their place in the Irish Cup quarter-finals.

"I think we are disappointed we haven't given a good account of ourselves, and we haven't got good results against them," he told BBC Sport NI.

"We'll have a game plan and we'll be ready to go Friday night, hopefully we can turn the tables."

The 24-year-old has had to bide his time to force his way into Linfield's starting side after joining from St Johnstone in the summer.

He has started the last four league games for the Blues and impressed as they won all four to move 19 points clear at the top of the Irish Premiership table.

"I'm really enjoying it, I had to be patient, the manager and the staff have been patient with me too," Ballantyne added.

"It took a bit of time for me to adapt but I think you can see I'm adapting well and hopefully the supporters and my teammates can see that too."

Image source, Pacemaker Press