It is Friday night football this week for Crusaders and Sports Direct Premiership leaders Linfield are the visitors to Seaview (7.45pm) Crusaders are looking to get back to winning ways quickly after a tough defeat to take last week to Cliftonville in the Irish Cup and cement a place in the top six while Linfield are looking to wrap up the Premiership title as soon as possible given their massive lead at the minute. Big stakes for both sides and an entertaining game ahead.
Manager Declan Caddell will know that a win will put Crusaders into third place and further the chances of being in the top six come the split fixtures. While players returning from injury on a weekly basis helps suspended players also need to sit out so it is a balancing act that leaves some hard choices to be made. New signing Alex King could get his first start after being on the bench against Cliftonville while a tweak in the starting line up, should it happen, could see Robbie Weir, Mal Smith or Lewis Barr start giving others a rest to the bench. It is a massive game for so many reasons for Crusaders and Declan will have all the homework completed and the players briefed. The team will give it everything they can to get the points as they push on and that is all we can ask.
Linfield
So the cry once again is “we need your backing” Your support has been unwavering all season and once again we need the colour and noise behind us as we look three points. You can buy anytime at www.crusadersfc.com or from Harry D's when open. You can also get tickets from the Ticket Office inside the McDonald Centre from 6.15 to kick off. Let's get right behind Declan and the team and get us into third place on our own. Be the 12th man. C'mon the Crues.