Danske Bank Premiership Europa League play-off semi-final: Linfield v Glentoran (tonight, 7.45pm, Windsor Park)
LINFIELD can ensure home advantage in Saturday’s Europa League play-off final if they can first overcome fierce rivals Glentoran in tonight last-four tie, also at Windsor Park.
The Blues, who finished fourth in the table in a disappointing defence of their Danske Bank Premiership title, are nevertheless aiming to secure European football for a 15th consecutive season.
Linfield ended their league campaign with a 2-1 home defeat to beaten Irish Cup finalists Cliftonville last time out, and manager David Healy will be demanding a more determined performance against the east Belfast men tonight.
Glentoran will be without Curtis Allen for their trip to Winsdor Park after the club lost an appeal against the red card shown to the forward during their recent victory against Dungannon Swifts.
Allen, 30, was allowed to continue playing while he appealed against his suspension, but will now have to serve a three-match ban.
Glentoran finished seventh in the Danske Bank Premiership and assistant manager Kieran Harding admits the absence of Allen is a big blow to their chances of European football next season.
"All we know is that we're left in the situation where we are going into the play-offs with our leading goal scorer, at the present minute in time, being unavailable,” said Harding, who is acting as assistant to caretaker manager Ronnie McFall.
