Crues look to close in on title

The Irish league title race could be over this weekend, if Crusaders win and Linfield are defeated.

Both of the top two are playing away from home, as the champions go to Ballymena and Linfield travel to Coleraine.

With the gap sitting at a single point, no other combination of results will settle the destination of the title this weekend.

Crusaders went to Solitude last week and came out on top after an end-to-end North Belfast derby. Stephen Baxter's side won 3-2 to keep Linfield at arm's length, but he was quick to remind his players the job is far from finished.

"When you have to hush the players down to even get a word in, it suggests they're very happy. But by the same token, they need to come down very quickly," he said.

They followed up that victory with a home win, getting past a resilient Coleraine outfit 3-2.

"I'm not celebrating anything or getting overjoyed about anything. We're chasing down a title and Linfield are a point behind us so it can swing either way. It makes it all very interesting, but we're looking forward to the challenge."

However, it's likely the title race will go down to the final fixture.

On Saturday the 29th of April, Crusaders are hosting Glenavon, and Linfield face the prospect of a trip to North Belfast to face Cliftonville at Solitude.