Crusaders are at home in this midweek Danske Bank Premiership game and Linfield come to Seaview in what will be a cracking game. Crusaders earned a good point away to Larne on Saturday while Linfield brushed aside Ballymena United at Windsor Park 3-0. Both sides are in the hunt at the top of the Premiership table so the stakes are high and this will add to the importance of the tie.
Stephen Baxter has been proud of how his side has played these last lot of weeks and he will ask them to go again. Injuries to key players have meant players coming in have played key roles and hopefully this is easing at a time when the full squad is needed. At training on Monday evening the squad will have been assessed and from there a plan made to defeat Linfield. Declan Caddell and Jude Winchester both came off with injuries on Saturday and decisions will be made on them before the team is named. Adam Lecky, Paul Heatley and Billy Joe Burns all returned the last game and should be involved again and we wait to hear on Josh Robinson too see if he is available. It will be a different game plan for this one and Stephen will have everyone on the ball ahead of kick off.
Linfield got rid of their Shield defeat hangover in style with a 3-0 win over Ballymena United at Windsor Park on Saturday. David Healy will know that this game will be a completely different affair and will plan accordingly. He will also know that Crusaders have taken 4 of the 6 points available off Linfield so far in the Premiership season and will look to change that. Hat trick hero Eetu Vertainen is bound to feature as will captain Jamie Mulgrew fresh from signing a contract extension. Their last visit to Seaview to play Crusaders saw Jordan Forsythe score a late winner in a great game.
Crusaders and Linfield have met four times this season in all competitions Crusaders winning 2 games, Linfield 1 and a draw in the other.
06/08/22 Linfield 0 Crusaders 2 (Charity Shield)
06/09/22 Crusaders 0 Linfield 1 (Co. Antrim Shield)
16/09/22 Crusaders 2 Linfield 1
26/11/22 Linfield 0 Crusaders 0
Referee Lee Tavinder
Asst Referees Adam Jeffrey & Andrew Nethery
4th Official Jamie Robinson
Your support on Saturday was heard and appreciated by every player on Saturday. We need you all again at Seaview on Tuesday night to do exactly the same again and to be that 12th man. Tickets are available at www.crusadersfootballclub.com or in Harry D's during opening hours. You will also be able to buy from the ticket office inside the McDonald Centre from 6.15pm right up to kick off. Keep the Faith. C'mon the Crues.