Linfield have a 3rd consecutive home league fixture for Match 30 of the Sports Direct Premiership, Coleraine this week’s welcome visitors to Windsor Park (3pm k.o. all-ticket). This season the teams have met twice with Linfield winning 3-0 both home and away. 

Coleraine have had a disappointing campaign so far and sit 8th in the table, 5 points off a top 6 spot. In their last outing The Bannsiders lost 2-1 to Glentoran at The Showgrounds.

Recent investment in the club has enabled Head Coach Dean Shiels to recruit Levi Ives (Larne), Charles Dunne (St. Mirren), Declan McManus (TNS), Ronan Doherty and Patrick Burns (both Cliftonville) during the January transfer window, and a successful push for a European play off tie could rest on the shoulders of prolific striker Matthew Shevlin who has found the net 17 times this season. 

Linfield's quest for The Gibson Cup was further boosted by another 3 points from a closely contested 1-0 win over a resolute Loughgall side, with new boys Kieran Offord and Callumn Morrison impressing, and Matthew Fitzpatrick continuing his recent scoring streak.

The Blues have now built up a commanding 19 point lead at the top of the table – David Healy's men will, however, remain focused on this next game.

COYB! 

By Ken Garrett.