Tomorrow's league game against Crusaders is the final game before the league splits into a top and bottom half. Both Glentoran and The Crues have secured their places in the top section with ease but now the pressure cranks up for the final 6 league fixtures in determining the final positions of each team. Glentoran are lying in 4th position, the disappointing defeat at home to Dungannon Swifts keeping us 5 points behind 3rd place Linfield. Coleraine are 3 points behind us in 5th with Ballinamallard still scraping for their top 6 finish with Portadown.
Crusaders title aspirations have all but faded as they lie 11 points off the pace set by Cliftonville. A new target of securing a first finish ahead of Linfield in a long time for The Crues is at the front of their minds. Having humbled Linfield infront of the Sky Sports cameras 10 days ago, Crusaders are now 8 clear of 3rd place Linfield with a game in hand.
For Glentoran, there is no new injury news. Jay Magee is expected to be fit however he and Callum Birney have work to do to regain their places from Jimmy Callacher and Colin Nixon at the back. Sean Ward missed the game against Dungannon and was replaced by Kevin Bradley who may retain his place. Stephen Carson also returned to the bench for that game following an absence and it is likely he could return to the starting 11 tomorrow.
For Crusaders, Aidan Watson, Gareth McKeown and Gary McCutheon will all miss out however Colin Coates is expected to return. The Crues are unbeaten since they were overturned by rivals Cliftonville on Boxing Day. Glentoran have also failed to beat Crusaders this season in 2 attempts- a 2-0 defeat at Seaview and a 1-1 draw at The Oval after a late Colin Coates equaliser.
Glentoran will be looking to bounce back after the defeat to Dungannon and keep pressure on Linfield in front of us knowing we travel to Windsor Park on Easter Tuesday. With an Irish Cup semi-final to look forward to next weekend as well, there is still much to play for as the season reaches it's climax.