Danske Bank Premiership: Crusaders v Coleraine (tonight, Seaview, 7.45pm, live on Sky Sports Football)
CRUSADERS and Coleraine dominated the league from start to finish last season but even at this early stage it appears that the duo will have company this year as they prepare to meet at Seaview tonight.
Neither side has been at their brilliant best early on but draws for Linfield in their last two games have ensured that they haven’t lost too much ground.
A home win tonight in front of the Sky cameras would bring the champions to within a point of the Blues at the top while Oran Kearney’s side could actually move to the front of the pack if they win by two goals or more.
That is not out of the question given that Crusaders have conceded two goals in all three home games this season, a win over Ards, a draw with Ballymena and a loss to Linfield.
Three of their next four games are away from home so they could do with getting another three points on the board as they prepare for their travels.
Coleraine come into this game on the back of a frustrating 2-2 draw with Institute in the league last week.
They had a chance to get the performance out of the system midweek but they needed a 93rd minute Ian Parkhill goal to secure a 2-1 home win against Ballyclare Comrades in the League Cup.
Kearney picked a strong team too with nine players starting both that win and the draw with Institute.
Both managers know that their teams haven’t found their stride yet, but this could be the fixture that sparks everything into life.
Crusaders have been unusually porous at home but they should just edge this.
