Linfield enjoy home advantage on Matchday 21 of the Sports Direct Premiership with Coleraine FC the visitors to Windsor Park (7.45pm k,o. all-ticket). Earlier this season, Linfield recorded a 3-1 win at The Showgrounds in September.

The Bannsiders have endured a frustrating league campaign, plagued by inconsistent form, and this has undermined any consolidated title challenge. Now well off the pace in 6th place, 20 points separate the sides, but manager Oran Kearney will be keeping his team focused on a strong second half to the season which could help with a favourable slot in the European play offs that goes with it. Last time out Coleraine suffered a very disappointing 3-2 home defeat to Dungannon Swifts.

Coleraine are a team with plenty of experienced, quality, players in their ranks. Conor McKendry has been in stellar form, hitting 10 league goals and deservedly picking up the NIFWA Player of the Month award for October along the way. The former Ipswich Town and Larne player has flourished since making the switch to Ballycastle Road in 2021.   

Linfield take to the field in good form, looking to build further momentum after wins against Dungannon Swifts and Glenavon. 

Both managers will be determined to bag full points as the games come thick and fast over the busy festive period. It promises to be a highly competitive 90+ minutes of football, with the expected large turnout of home supporters guaranteed to crank up the atmosphere under the Windsor Park floodlights! 

COYB!

By Ken Garrett.