Preview of Friday’s Premiership game
Posted : 18th October 2023 at 09:42:42
Match day 13 of the Sports Direct Premiership sees Linfield head to North Belfast to face Cliftonville FC, at Solitude (7.45pm ko, all-ticket). The teams have already met at Windsor Park this season, with Linfield winning a tightly contested game 2-1. There will be full coverage of the game streamed live on the BBC Sport NI website.
In the title race Cliftonville lead the chasing pack, sitting five points behind leaders Linfield. This season the Reds’ challenge for the Gibson Cup has been built on a platform of a solid defence that has conceded just five goals. Manager Jim Magilton, looks to have addressed the crux of last season's costly late collapse in form, which saw the Reds finish fourth, having conceded the most goals of any of the top-six sides. During the last transfer window, the Reds struck gold when signing Ben Wilson on his release from Brighton. The talented striker has made the transition from academy development level to the NIFL with ease, hitting an impressive goal-a-game ratio in 12 league games.
Linfield had to show plenty of fight to overcome a determined Carrick Rangers side in last Friday night's game at Taylor's Avenue. The game came to life in the second half with the Blues finding the net twice, before Rangers staged a late come-back scoring a consolation goal. A hard fought three points that keeps the Blues firmly in control of pole position in the table at this early stage of the season.
The stage is set for this top of the table clash between these two very evenly matched sides. The title credentials of both teams will come under some close scrutiny at a packed Solitude. A win for Cliftonville would tighten up the title race and prevent an eight-point buffer forming between the two teams. Linfield will certainly need to find the right key to unlock this ‘miserly’ Cliftonville defence, to hopefully then go on and take something from the game. A close game to call in what is likely to be a very tense, cagey ninety minutes+ of football. COYB!
Ken Garrett.