Blues bid to extend lead over Reds

However, on their last visit to Cliftonville in the Sky televised clash, the Blues crashed 4-0 in their worst display of the season.

The incentive for Cliftonville is to cut the gap to just one point and they certainly capable of doing just that.

"We have nine league games still to go as in this league. The title race is too close to call," said Blues' boss David Jeffrey. "This is a massive game at Solitude tonight. We don't want to lose there and we certainly don't want to lose 4-0 as we did on our last visit."

The Blues will be without the suspended Peter Thompson and the injured Kris Lindsay and Michael Carville.

Lisburn Distillery will hope to try and continue their good away form when they travel to Portadown tonight.

Like Linfield, the Whites are aiming for a better performance and result from their last trip to their hosts as they lost 6-0.

With back to back away wins over Coleraine and Institute the Whites can travel in a confident mood although Portadown have hit a great run of form at present and are bidding to finish in the top six.

"A lot can happen if results go our way," says Distillery boss Tommy Wright. "If we can get something from the match and Crusaders beat Institute then it will see us trim another bit off the gap. But Portadown are a very good side and playing very well so it will be tough."