What is at stake this weekend in the Irish Premiership?
There is still plenty to play for at the top and bottom of the Irish Premiership
- Published
A three-point gap at the top and nothing to separate Crusaders and Glenavon at the bottom sets up a gripping finale to the Irish Premiership season.
Larne appeared to have one hand on the title in January when they held an 11-point lead over Glentoran. However, a dip in form, combined with the Glens' eight-match unbeaten run has tightened everything considerably at the top.
Crusaders occupy bottom spot due to Glenavon's superior goal difference with both sides coming into the game after picking up a point each last weekend
With plenty more twists and turns to come, BBC Sport NI looks ahead to this weekend's action.
Larne aim to return to winning ways against Gibson Cup holders
The top six standings going into the weekend
Gary Haveron will be hoping his side can regroup quickly after their heavy 4-1 defeat by Coleraine on Tuesday which, combined with Glentoran's 2-1 win over Cliftonville, cut Larne's lead at the top to just three points.
On Saturday, the Inver Reds travel to face reigning champions Linfield, who appear set for a fourth-place finish this season.
Meetings between the sides this campaign have been tight affairs, with just two goals scored across the previous three encounters.
The Inver Reds will also know it is crucial to return to winning ways and build some breathing space before Friday's trip to the Oval to face Glentoran.
The Glens host Dungannon Swifts knowing that victory, coupled with a Larne loss, would see only goal difference split the sides.
However, the Swifts, fresh from securing their second successive Irish Cup will be looking to build momentum and strengthen their push for fifth place.
Elsewhere, Coleraine, five points off the summit, welcome Cliftonville on Saturday to the Showgrounds.
The Bannsiders will take confidence from recent performances, having beaten Larne twice in the space of a week — once in the Irish Cup and once in the league.
They will also be keeping an eye elsewhere as if Glentoran and Larne drop points and Coleraine win, they will believe with the form they are in that they also have a chance of lifting the Gibson Cup.
Cliftonville, meanwhile, are winless in their last six matches and are aiming to recover from Irish Cup penalty shootout semi-final loss against Dungannon Swifts.
Plenty to play for at the bottom of the Premiership
The bottom six standings in the Irish Premiership
After drawing with Ballymena United last weekend, Glenavon will aim to maintain their impressive form of just one defeat in their past seven games when they meet Bangor.
Conor Falls scored the leveller at the Ballymena Showgrounds and has played a key role in Glenavon's upturn of form, netting five goals since February.
The Lurgan Blues may have won the most recent match between the teams, but Lee Feeney's side were the victors in the previous two meetings before that.
Crusaders' last-minute goal against the Seasiders last weekend could prove vital in the relegation battle after they earned a crucial point to remain level with the Lurgan Blues.
Now, they will aim to build on that momentum when they welcome Portadown in their penultimate home game of the season.
Neither side have won a match in their past seven fixtures, so it is set to be a tight and scrappy game, but Declan Caddell will know that his side have to end their winless run if they are going to avoid the automatic relegation spot.
In the final bottom-six meeting, seventh placed Carrick Rangers will aim to further extend their nine-point lead over the Ports as they face Ballymena United at Taylors Avenue.
