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Gareth Fullerton

Glentoran vs Linfield: Seven talking points ahead of the game

They don't get much bigger than this.

The top two in the Irish Premiership, both locked on 56 points, ready to do battle in East Belfast.

Glentoran and Linfield are preparing to meet in a huge derby showdown at the BetMcLean Oval.

With just 12 games remaining this season the pressure has well and truly ramped up as both clubs try to close in on the Gibson Cup.

The Blues won 3-0 the last time the sides met at the Mersey Street venue, that was back in September when goals from Matt Green, Trai Hume and Cammy Palmer sealed the win for the Blues.

They also met at Windsor Park on December 27, with Jay Donnelly's header cancelling out Hume's opener in a 1-1 draw.

Ahead of Friday's renewal, new Ards boss Matthew Tipton and former Glentoran captain Paul Leeman broke down various aspects of the game.

Here are seven talking points from Belfast Live's That's What I Call Football podcast and what the lads had to say...

1. Defensive problems

Leeman: "Patrick McClean is suspended which is a big blow for Glentoran. The good thing is Marcus Kane is back playing and can slot into a left-sided centre-half. The other person who could slot in there is Joe Crowe. He played there against Linfield in the last game and had a superb game. So they have those options. But I am sure Mick (McDermott) would prefer having Paddy there. He has captained the team in Marcus' absence and he is a leader in there. You never really like to break up a consistent back four, that is so important when going for league titles."

2. Attacking stand-off

Tipton: "The front three of both teams could be pivotal. The front three of Glentoran and Linfield are quality. If Linfield can keep Conor McMenamin, Jay Donnelly and Robbie McDaid quiet then that will go a long way to winning the game. They are as good as you're getting in the league."

3. Manzinga factor

Tipton : "Christy Manzinga does score goals, but for me I don't see him as an out and out striker. I think he does his best work coming in from the left. But, he still scores goals. People talk about Mo Salah, and I am not drawing comparisons here, but Mo Salah scores 30 goals from the right wing. Look at Lionel Messi. That's the way football is now. Fans don't see that. They see 4-4-2 with two wingers and two centre forwards, but does it really matter what position you play if you're getting those numbers?"

Leeman : "I think the criticism that came with Christy was what happens if he gets injured, and who do they play if he isn't available. I think that's where some fans were getting frustrated with Linfield in the transfer window. He has become so important for them, scoring 20 goals. And nobody else has been hitting double figures. And you look at Glentoran and the firepower they have and it's frightening. Jay Donnelly has over 20 goals, Conor McMenamin and Robbie McDaid have double figures. So Glentoran have more to choose from. David Healy will be hoping Manzinga stays fit.

4. Finnish-ed article

Tipton : "I see the Finnish lad Eetu Vertainen has come in. Would Linfield throw him into a game like this? If he was a centre half then probably not, but for strikers they generally do okay in their first game. They could try him because he is fresh, and you could see him play with Christy out on the left."

Leeman : "I watched a few highlight videos of Vertainen on YouTube and he looks like a quality player, and looks like he was rated at his previous cub but just didn't get his opportunity. But now he has a platform at his new club and Linfield fans will be looking forward to seeing him."

Linfield’s Jamie Mulgrew (INPHO/Matt Mackey)

5. Experience

Tipton: "Jamie Mulgrew is set to become Linfield's second all-time appearance holder on Friday night, only second behind Noel Bailie. He knows what it takes. Chris Shields is also back and knows how to win trophies, as does Jimmy Callacher. These guys know what it takes to get over the line."

Leeman: "There is a lot of know-how in that Linfield dressing room. And you just have to look at what they have won, and what David Healy has won. And that's probably where David gets annoyed at the criticism. He has achieved so much and been so successful. It comes with the expectation at Linfield and Glentoran. They are under the microscope all the time and that is part and parcel of the job. The other night you saw Linfield grind out a result, and those experienced players played a massive part."

6. Glens must do better

Leeman: "Glentoran need to do better in these games. They lost 3-0 at the Oval earlier in the season and it was a really poor performance. They have come a long way since then, and on Boxing Day they didn't play well but were still able to grind out a 1-1 draw. They are the home team now and really in this title race, and there is an expectation on Glentoran this Friday night to beat Linfield and show they mean business. That brings added pressure, and it's how those players who haven't been in this pressure before cope with that. Massive crowd, live on television, missing Paddy McClean and having to reshape their back four which is never easy. There are a few wee things there, but they have enough good players and are on a good run. It is a game everyone will be looking forward to."

7. Predictions

Tipton: Basically it will come down to who plays best on the night will win, or maybe the team that plays best gives a freak goal away and they don't win. I don't know who is going to win, that's why I don't bet! I will go for a 2-2 draw.

Leeman: I also fancy a draw, maybe 2-2 or 1-1. There will be a few goals and it should be a good game.

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