The hosts have started brightly and the ever alert Paul Heatley forces Rohan Ferguson into a routine save from a long punt forward from goalkeeper Nathan Gartside.

Neat play from the visitors as Lloyd Anderson and Finlay Thorndike combine smartly on the edge of the box.

Thorndike looks to pull the trigger, but Jack Keaney throws himself in the way to make a block.

Portadown get us under way here at Shamrock Park.

It's a kick-off that is sent out for a throw in deep into Glenavon's half.

Prior to kick-off, there was a moment of silence for former Portadown player Callum McVeigh, who tragically passed away on Christmas Eve.

We're under way at Windsor Park for this Big Two Boxing Day clash.

A minutes silence was observed before kick-off for the late Callum McVeigh, who tragically lost his life on Christmas Eve.

Ian McNabb whistles, and we’re under way in north Belfast after a minute's applause is held as we approach the anniversary of Michael Newberry's passing.

The form book points one way, with only Larne boasting a better league return than the Reds in recent weeks, while Declan Caddell’s men arrive winless and goalless in their last five.

But it’s derby day, and history says that counts for very little once the ball starts moving.

Referee Shane Andrews gets the ball rolling at a boisterous Ballymena Showgrounds.

Can Ballymena claim a first league clean sheet in 14 league games or will the Premiership’s most potent attack add to the 43 goals they have already plundered in this campaign?

A minute's silence was held at both Linfield v Glentoran and Portadown v Glenavon to remember ex-Blues and Ports player Callum McVeigh, who tragically passed away on Christmas Eve.

Image source, Press

Carrick's Matthew Snoddy gets us underway on a dry, bright Boxing Day afternoon.

Bragging rights are up for grabs for sure but, equally importantly, so are points.

Victory for Larne and they consolidate their place at the head of affairs while a home win would see Carrick Rangers pull further away from the bottom two clubs.

An intriguing game in prospect, then, in an eagerly anticipated east Antrim derby.

Joel Bell
BBC Sport NI

Ballymacash Rangers took home the Steel and Sons Cup after their penalty shootout win over Holywood FC on Christmas Day.

Ross Hunter broke the deadlock early on as he put Gary Hamilton's side ahead, before Joshua Burns drew level for Holywood just before the break.

After a superb performance from Jordan Williamson in the Ballymacash goal, the Cash went on to win 4-2 on penalties to secure their first ever Steel and Sons Cup.

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Colin Coates
Former Crusaders captain on BBC Sportsound

When you look at the four full-time teams, for me, Larne are the pick of them.

They are defensively organised and resolute and that reflects in their goals against. By quite a distance they are the meanest defence in the league.

For me, they look the most impressive.

Crusaders had four players and manager Stephen Baxter sent-off as they lost 2-1 at home to Cliftonville who also had a man red-carded.

Cliftonville took the lead through a Liam Boyce penalty before Chris Morrow was sent-off for swinging an arm.

David Rainey then got a straight red card but the nine men got an equaliser through Jordan Owens.

Aaron Black and Ryan McCann were sent-off as was Cliftonville's Ryan Catney before Liam Fleming got the winner.

Read the 2009 Boxing Day match report here

Liam Beckett
Sportsound summariser

Today is one of those games where Glentoran could win here today.

It is an extremely open game and a big, big crowd as we expected.

Both teams are very evenly matched. I have played in these types of derbies, and it is who wants it on the day.

What makes Boxing Day one of the most anticipated days of the Irish Premiership season?

Over the last number of weeks, we sent our reporters out round the grounds, to gather the thoughts of some players, managers and supporters to hear what they had to say about these festive derby games.

Liam Beckett
Sportsound summariser

Michael [O'Connor] has added a bit of self-belief and getting those few points that they have been able to get have worked wonders for them.

I would not rule them out of getting back-to-back [victories] today.

There are three changes to the Portadown side that lost 4-2 to Dungannon Swifts last week.

Shay McCartan received a red card so misses out on today’s game, while Divin Isamala and Jordan Gibson drop to the bench.

They are replaced by Baris Altintop, Luke Wilson and Gary Thompson.

Meanwhile, Glenavon unsurprisingly name an unchanged side to the one that claimed an impressive 2-1 victory at home against Linfield last week.

Portadown: McCarey, Altintop, MacKinnon, Wilson, Chapman, Wylie, Ukek, McCullough, Fyfe, Teelan, Thompson.

Subs: Moore, Isamala, Mayse, Gibson, Rabby Minzamba, Annett, Quinn.

Glenavon: Carney, McMullan, Burns, Murphy, Malone, O’Kane, Wilson, Bosakani, Smith, McGovern, Quinn

Subs: Hamill, Cartwright, McKeown, Mallon, McClelland, Kee, McGerrigan.

Image source, BBC Sport

Watch highlights of last weekend's game at Mourneview Park as bottom side Glenavon stunned champions Linfield by beating them 2-1.

Glenavon boss Michael O'Connor says the bottom side fear no-one at home after stunning Linfield 2-1 at Mourneview Park on Saturday.

Ben Wilson and Paul McGovern struck for the Lurgan hosts before Charlie Allen netted a late consolation for the champions.

Glenavon have now won four of their past five home games to boost hopes of escaping relegation.

"We're delighted - we beat the Glens at home and now we've beaten Linfield at home," said O'Connor.

"We fancy our chances against anyone who comes here. We got two goals and I thought we could've had more.

"Our defensive line was really good in the second half - it was really disciplined."

The victory took Glenavon to within five points of 11th-placed Crusaders.

Image source, Pacemaker

Linfield boss David Healy said he is concerned about his team's away form after a shock 2-1 defeat by bottom side Glenavon at Mourneview Park on Saturday.

Second-half strikes from Ben Wilson and Paul McGovern gave the hosts a deserved victory.

It's a blow to Linfield's hopes of retaining the title as they now sit 10 points behind leaders Larne with a game in hand.

"It was a disappointing performance, ultimately leading to a poor result." said Healy.

"We weren't at it today, we weren't at the races and my biggest concern is that away from home it's the third time we've lost.

"Ballymena, Portadown and Glenavon - all similar type of 'stand up and be counted' away grounds and we've not done that today."

Linfield rarely threatened until Charlie Allen pulled one back deep into added time.

"We knew the importance of coming here and being big and strong - we weren't." added Healy.

"We lost poor goals. It's frustrating, disappointing and the players are hurting."

Image source, Pacemaker

The last 10 meetings between the Big Two have resulted in three wins each and four draws, with Linfield winning the last head-to-head meeting at Windsor Park in the split last season.

The last Boxing Day fixture in south Belfast was a 2-0 victory for the Blues, with last year's at The Oval a goalless stalemate.

Blues boss David Healy makes just one change from his side's 2-1 defeat to Glenavon on Saturday.

Sean Brown replaces Sam Roscoe in defence in their only change.

Declan Devine also makes just the one change from the Glens' 2-1 triumph over Coleraine last Friday night with skipper Marcus Kane replacing Daniel Larmour at the back.

Linfield: Johns, Brown, Millar, McClean, Hall, Mulgrew (capt), Baird, McGee, Fitzpatrick, McCullough, Morrison.

Subs: Walsh, McKee, Allen, Yates, Archer, Gorrin, Taylor.

Glentoran: Mills, Cooney, Kamson-Kamara, Kane (capt), Singleton, Palmer, Thomson, Burt, Stewart, Hoban, Jenkins.

Subs: Crellin, Russell, Ferris, Pattisson, Larmour, Amos, Douglas.

Image source, BBC Sport

Glentoran manager Declan Devine praised his players after the 2-1 comeback victory over leaders Coleraine at the Oval last Friday.

Matthew Shevlin put the visitors in front but Coleraine lost Dylan Boyle to a red card before late goals from Pat Hoban and Jonathan Russell clinched a dramatic win.

It also brought a five-match winless run in the league to an end as the Glens moved eight points behind the Bannsiders and Larne.

"It was a bit of a crazy game - it was a battle and we're obviously delighted to end that run of results," said Devine.

"It shows that when when we are at our best we are more than a match for anyone.

"No-one's getting carried away. It's a good win but I actually though we played better last week and lost.

"But the big plus for me is that it's credit to the players - it's so much down to them and going a goal behind it's very easy to buckle.

"The fans also deserved that - the noise they made and the appreciation they have given to the players."

Image source, Pacemaker