Glentoran will travel to Solitude tomorrow night to face league leaders Cliftonville in the Danske Bank Premiership. The game will be the first time this season that The Glens have appeared in front of the Sky Sports cameras. The club would like to encourage as many fans as possible to attend the game, with the whole nation looking on. It would be fantastic not just for Glentoran, but for the entire of Irish football if the match is a good advert for the local game.
The team news for tomorrow's game sees a number of potential casualties from the recent fixture congestion. Jay Magee, Richard Clarke and David Howland are all doubts for the game. Clarke went off injured against Coleraine on New Year's Day with a hamstring problem, proving a blow following his recent excellent form. Jay Magee and David Howland have also been two of the club's top performers, Magee is also suffering from a hamstring problem and David Howland has medial ligament damage.
Our opponents Cliftonville are the side to beat in the Danske Bank Premiership so far this season. Despite the recent brilliant run, they suffered a damaging defeat to Linfield on New Year's Day at Windsor Park. Cliftonville are now only 3 points clear over North-Belfast rivals Crusaders although have two games in hand. Glentoran remained 4th after not playing at the weekend, 7 points behind 3rd placed Linfield although we also have two games in hand.
Tomorrow's game sees the best two defences come head to head in the league. Following the Linfield game on New Year's Day, Glentoran have overtaken Cliftonville in having the best defensive record so far. We have conceded 23 whilst Cliftonville have conceded 24. However, it's worth noting Cliftonville also have the best attacking return with an incredible 57 goals scored so far this season. This proves how interesting tomorrow night's game could be for the neutral but for Glentoran fans there is a belief after Linfield stopped Cliftonville this week that we can do the same.
Kick off tomorrow night is at 7.45p.m and a ticket is NOT required. For those who can not attend, the game will air on Sky Sports 1 at 7.30p.m.