Glentoran continue their Tennent’s Irish Cup defence as they welcome Glenavon at the Oval.
The fixture comes as a welcome distraction for the Glens as their recent league form has left Alan Kernaghan’s side lying sixth in the Danske Bank Premiership table.
The East Belfast side have lost their last four league games, including a miserable 4-0 defeat to basement club Warrenpoint Town at home.
However, the Glens faithful were given a timely lift last month as the Irish Cup holders progressed into the sixth round of the competition, cruising past Championship 1 league leaders Ards in a 4-1 win.
In search for another boost, the Glens entertain Gary Hamilton’s high-flying Lurgan Blues who beat fellow East Belfast neighbours HW Welders 1-4 in the previous round.
Today’s game was scheduled to be a second meeting between the pair in as many weeks, but the weather ruled out the league bout at Mourneview Park last Saturday. Hamilton’s side were in midweek action and will be looking to carry the momentum of thumping Carrick Rangers 1-5 into this afternoon’s clash.
Ahead of today’s contest, Kernaghan will be without centre back Jay Magee who is out due to suspension. Elliott Morris is on the cusp of making his 600th appearance for the Glens, but the goalkeeper has been struggling from a back problem and will face a late fitness test.
Irish football followers were saddened by this week’s news of the passing of former Derry City and Glenavon striker Mark Farren, who lost his brave battle with an aggressive brain tumour at the age of just 33. In memory for the Donegal man, there will be a round of applause in the 10th minute of today’s game.
Nathan Webb