The teams currently occupying the top two places in the NIFL Premiership will kick-start the sixth round of this season’s Clearer Water Irish Cup this evening.
League leaders Linfield and their traditional Big Two rivals Glentoran are set to meet at The Oval in the last 16.
And the game between the Belfast teams is to be livestreamed by the BBC on the iPlayer and the BBC Sport NI website(7.45 kick-off).
Although there is clear water between the Blues and the Glens in the league just now - Linfield currently lead the title race by a whopping 19 points - the managers of both sides are expecting a battle royale at the home of Glentoran in east Belfast.
It will be the fifth meeting of the teams this season and remarkably the high-flying Blues have yet to taste victory.
In their most recent meeting in the league, on Boxing Day, the teams drew 0-0 at The Oval. Prior to that Glentoran defeated the Blues 1-0 at home in the league in late November.
In early October Declan Devine’s team registered a 3-1 win against Linfield (away) in the NIFL Premiership. And the Glens also subsequently defeated Linfield away in the League Cup Round of 16 (1-0) in early December.
Last season David Healy’s side defeated the Glens in the semi-final of the Clearer Water Irish Cup before losing out to Cliftonville in the final.
The Glens, who won the Co Antrim Shield earlier this month and have also reached this season’s League Cup final, have not lifted the Irish Cup since 2020, while the Blues will be hoping to add another trophy win to their record 44 in the competition; they last won it in 2021.
The remaining seven ties in this season’s Clearer Water Irish Cup will be played tomorrow (1 February).
There are two other all-Premiership encounters. Holders Cliftonville will be up against much improved Glenavon at Solitude, while in-form Dungannon Swifts host Coleraine at Stangmore Park.
NIFL Championship leaders Bangor are set to take on Annagh United, who are currently third in Northern Ireland’s second tier, while fellow Championship side Ballinamallard United are hosting Carrick Rangers from the top flight.
Crusaders are due to face Limavady United, currently second in their league, in another Premiership v Championship clash.
Two NIFL Premier Intermediate League sides have made it through to round six. League leaders Dollingstown will be up against Premiership team Loughgall and Moyola Park are set to host Championship side Ards.
Image: Holders Cliftonville defeated Banbridge Rangers in round five of the Clearer Water Irish Cup. Tomorrow they will be up against Glenavon in the sixth round.
