Linfield return to Sports Direct Premiership action on Tuesday night as Portadown visit Windsor Park (7.45pm kick-off, all-ticket).

The sides have already met twice this season, with each team claiming victory on home soil. Linfield ran out 3–0 winners at Windsor Park earlier in the campaign, while Portadown responded with a 2–0 success at Shamrock Park.

Portadown currently sit 8th in the Sports Direct Premiership table and have experienced an inconsistent season. In their most recent outing they earned a point at The Showgrounds, drawing 1–1 with Ballymena United. However, with just one point taken from their last five away matches, manager Niall Currie will be hoping his side can improve their form on the road.

The visitors will be without on-loan Linfield striker Rhys Annett, who is ineligible to face his parent club.

Linfield, meanwhile, will be eager to return to winning ways following a disappointing 2–0 defeat to Cliftonville at Solitude. With the season edging closer to the split, David Healy will view every remaining fixture in the title race as a must-win encounter.

The Blues will be aiming to deliver the performance required to reignite their title challenge in front of the Windsor Park faithful.

COYB!

By Ken Garrett