Linfield are back on home turf for Matchday 18 of the Sports Direct Premiership, welcoming Portadown to Windsor Park (3pm k.o.). The teams drew 2-2 when they met at Shamrock Park in August.
The Ports have been one of the surprise packages of the season and are well positioned at 4th in the table. Manager Niall Currie has assembled an experienced squad following a busy transfer window when arrivals and departures each ran into double figures. Top scorer this season is Ryan Mayse with 7 league goals and in their most recent outing they defeated local rivals Glenavon 1-0 at Shamrock Park.
Linfield will want to forget last Friday night at The Oval after losing by the only goal of the game to 10 man Glentoran. In an unpredictable title race The Blues are still in pole position, leading the chasing pack by 5 points.
Manager David Healy will demand a big reaction from his players against a Portadown side who are a match for any team on their day. It promises to be a tight game with The Blues looking to make home advantage count.
COYB!
By Ken Garrett.