On 4th May at Windsor Park Glentoran and Cliftonville will be taking part in the biggest game in the calendar, however tonight the two teams get an opportunity to see their Cup Final opponenents in advance. The Glens host the recently crowned Danske Bank Premiership Champions at The Oval 7.45pm kick off. The game bares little significance in the league context with Cliftonville already past the major number to bring the Gibson Cup to North Belfast. For Glentoran the game still holds a degree of importance with Coleraine only two points behind us in the table. The Glens lie 4th, 8 points behind Linfield so the remainder of the season will be attempting to consolidate that spot.
Glentoran team news sees Jim O'Hanlon remain a doubt having missed Saturday's game with injury. Colin Nixon and Calum Birney started in defence together on Saturday and this may still the same this evening. Jay Magee and Stephen McAlorum will both miss the game through suspension.
Cliftonville secured their first Irish League title since 1998 on Saturday afternoon, the 4th title of the club's long history and this evening at The Oval they will undoubtedly be looking for their party to the end of the season to begin. Cliftonville's season has been one of the best in recent memory in local football, playing some of the most attractive football seen for many a season. The stats read well for Cliftonville fans with their side only losing three games all season. They have scored an incredible 91 goals whilst also conceding the least amount, just 31 goals giving them an explosive +60 Goal Difference. The threat of Boyce and Gormley up front with Glentoran's former defender Jaimie McGovern at the back has been key in mounting their successful title challenge.
Tonight's game may come at the right time for Glentoran will Cliftonville already passing the line on Saturday. Both sides attention's will be turned to 4th May Cup Final and tonight could go a long way to showing what way both teams will approach the game. This season Glentoran and Cliftonville have drawn twice, 1-1 at either stadium. The last fixture however wasn't pleasant for the East Belfast side when we were soundly beaten 4-1 in front of the Sky cameras.