Cliftonville's turn to attack as Jay Donnelly lets fly with an effort from outside the penalty area but it doesn't prove problematic for Gareth Deane.

An encouraging opening from both sides at Solitude.

Kurtis Byrne collects a knock-down inside the Cliftonville penalty area but his well-struck effort is met with an instinctive save from Reds keeper Neeson.

Great chance for Linfield as Andy Waterworth cleverly creates space for himself inside the penalty area but his tame lobbed effort is straight at Brian Neeson.

Despite Glentoran's last minute winner on Monday night, Carrick will be heartened by their recent upturn in form. They know that a win today brings them to within a point of Warrenpoint.

The home side welcome Jonathan Smith back to their starting line-up, who was ineligible to play against his parent club Glentoran. Aaron Smyth also comes in as Daniel Larmour and Andrew Mooney drop to the bench.

Warrenpoint's only away league win of the season so far came at Taylor's Avenue in November. Their defensive frailties were exposed against Cliftonville on Monday as they conceded three for the third league game in a row.

They make four changes today as Keith O'Hara, Alan O'Sullivan, Lorcan Forde and Anto Reilly come in. Out go Stevie Moan, Martin Murray, Alan Davidson and Emmet Hughes.

Cliftonville make two defensive changes from their midweek win at Warrenpoint with Levi Ives and Jamie Harney replacing Aaron Donnelly and Shane Grimes.

Linfield boss David Healy also makes two switches from his side's draw with Dungannon Swifts. They are in attack where January signings Kurtis Byrne and Achille Campion come in for Jordan Stewart and Louis Rooney.

Image source, BBC Sport NI

Glentoran's home form continues to frustrate their fans as last night they fell to a 2-1 defeat by Ards at the Oval.

The Glens have won just four of their 13 Irish Premiership games at the Oval this season.

Manager Gary Haveron's verdict on the latest loss was "not good enough, not acceptable."

Former Linfield striker Aaron Burns marked his Coleraine debut by scoring the final goal in a 5-2 win away to Ballinamallard United last night.

Burns came on as a sub to round off a victory which leaves the Bannsiders just two points behind Irish Premiership leaders Crusaders.

Good afternoon and welcome to a double bill of league and cup action.

The League Cup is up for grabs later this evening as holders Ballymena United lock horns with Dungannon Swifts at Windsor Park in a 17:30 GMT kick-off.

Before then, however, there are two Premiership matches which will have a major bearing on both the race for a European place and the relegation battle.

Cliftonville and Linfield will look to close the gap on third-placed Glenavon when they go head-to-head at Solitude.

Meanwhile, Carrick Rangers will seek to put further daylight between themselves and bottom side Ballinamallard when they host the team immediately above them in the table, Warrenpoint Town.

Stay with us for what is sure to be another action-packed afternoon and evening.