CITY rivals Linfield and Crusaders put their 100 per cent starts on the line when they meet at Windsor Park (7.45pm) tonight.
David Healy’s men top the Premiership table after wins against Ballymena United and Carrick Rangers but Stephen Baxter’s Crues are hot on the heels of the defending champions after they recorded wins over Warrenpoint Town and, last Friday, Cliftonville.
With second-placed Larne hoping to extend their winning start at home against Ballymena United tomorrow, Healy expects a typically tenacious tussle with the Crues tonight and insists that his side will have to be “bang at it" to retain their flawless early-season record.
"If you switch off, make a slight mistake or have a chink in your armour then Crusaders are the type of team to find you out," said Healy
"They have winners, people who have been there over the course and distance, have done it and are very experienced players
"Their derby against Cliftonville last week was not an outstanding game but one thing it showed was that Crusaders still have that edge and fire."
An own goal from Aaron Donnelly earned the Crues a 1-0 win at Solitude last week. Jordan Owens' goalbound header had been cleared off the line by Reds’ defender Conor McDermott but the ball ricocheted past Sean O’Neill off the unfortunate Donnelly. Crusaders will be without Billy Joe Burns (suspended) and fellow defender Aidan Wilson, who is sidelined with a groin injury.
"If you told me we would win our first two games I would have bitten your hand off for it," said manager Baxter.
"There's no bigger test than at Windsor - we don't think it's a scary place to go and if you want to challenge for it you have to beat the best.
"We are looking forward to the challenge. Linfield are always the benchmark, with strength in depth and they are looking sharp."
