Ballinamallard, who are back within touching distance of Carrick in the battle to avoid automatic relegation, make one defensive switch from last week's win over Warrenpoint, with Ross Taheny replacing Michael Kerr.

Dungannon boss Rodney McAree also makes one change from his side's win over Carrick, with Cormac Burke starting in place of Mark Patton as the Swifts aim to continue their recent domination of this fixture - they have won all three of the sides' previous meetings this season, without conceding a goal.

Ballinamallard United

Brush, McLoughlin, Taheny, McKenna, R Clarke, McGinty, Curran, Smyth, Noble, O’Flynn, Kee

Dungannon Swifts

Addis, Hegarty, Wilson, Armstrong, McElroy, Teggart, O’Rourke, Lowe, Clucas, Burke, Hughes

Eoin Bradley and Josh Carson are reinstated to the Coleraine starting line-up after being introduced as substitutes against Cliftonville last week. Injured Brad Lyons misses out and Aaron Burns drops to the bench.

Ballymena make four changes from the side which started last week's defeat to Linfield at Windsor Park.

Crusaders-bound defender Kyle Owens comes in for Kofi Balmer at the back, while Fra McCaffrey, Kevin Braniff and Cathair Friel, available after suspnesion, are all included.

Conor McCloskey, Willie Faulkner and Leroy Millar are the other men to make way.

Coleraine

Johns, Kane, Harkin, McCauley, Bradley, Carson, McConaghie, O'Donnell, Traynor, McGonigle, Dooley

Ballymena United

Glendinning, Kane, Owens, McAlorum, Friel, Braniff, Burns, Shevlin, Ervin, McCaffrey, Quigley

Crusaders boss Stephen Baxter is enjoying being in the position to contend for a league title for a fifth consecutive season.

The north Belfast club are going for a third title in four years, having been crowned league champions in 2015 and 2016.

The table-topping Crues make two changes for the Seaview encounter with Matthew Snoddy and Jordan Owens returning to the line-up while Declan Caddell and Jamie Glackin drop out.

Linfield boss David Healy brings Stephen Fallon into the team in place of Niall Quinn.

Crusaders

Jensen, Burns, Beverland, Coates, Lowry, Ward, Carvill, Snoddy, Owens, Heatley, Whyte

Linfield

Carroll, Stafford, Robinson, Haughey, Waterworth, Lowry, Millar, Byrne, Clarke, Fallon, Mitchell

Cliftonville boss Barry Gray gives a vote of confidence to the line-up which started last week's defeat at Coleraine.

But Glenavon boss Gary Hamilton, whose side haven't won since late February, makes three changes from the gutsy draw with Crusaders last week.

In come Simon Kelly, Robbie Norton and Marc Griffin, in place of James Singleton, Josh Daniels and Stephen Murray.

Cliftonville

Neeson, McGovern, Ives, Harney, Curran, Harkin, Gormley, J Donnelly, Grimes, McDonald, R Donnelly

Glenavon

Tuffey, Burns, Kelly, Doyle, Norton, Marshall, Mitchell, Griffin, Sykes, McGrory, Cooper

Ballymena United manager David Jeffrey says he is focused on his side gaining some momentum for the end-of-season Europa League play-offs rather than putting a dent in derby rivals Coleraine's title hopes.

Coleraine manager Oran Kearney says his side have plenty of belief as they prepare to face derby rivals Ballymena United at Ballycastle Road.

Afternoon everyone and welcome to our coverage of the next thrilling instalment of the race for the Irish Premiership title as Crusaders host Linfield at Seaview and Coleraine put their unbeaten home record on the line when they entertain derby rivals Ballymena United at Ballycastle Road.

The two teams are tied at the top on 84 points with three sets of fixtures remaining, although Crusaders' much superior goal difference may ultimately prove crucial in deciding the destination of the Gibson Cup.

Can the outgoing league champions or the Sky Blues throw a spanner in the title works of the championship-chasing duo this afternoon? Stay with us throughout the afternoon for all the build-up, action and post-match reaction to find out.

Cliftonville and Glenavon continue their bid to overhaul Linfield for third spot when they meet at Solitude while bottom club Ballinamallard United face Dungannon Swifts at Ferney Park as they aim to avoid the automatic relegation spot.

One-from-bottom Carrick play Ards in a vital game for David McAlinden's side at Taylor's Avenue while Warrenpoint Town are at home to Glentoran.