Roy Coyle has managed both Linfield and Glentoran

Former Linfield and Glentoran manager Roy Coyle says it is impossible to predict the winner of Saturday's Big Two game as "form goes out the window".

"These games are so unpredictable but they are massive games psychologically and personally I think it will be a hard-fought draw," said Coyle.

"Linfield's defence face a big test in trying to keep Glentoran's strikers quiet and that will be a key contest.

"The Blues have been leaking a few goals recently and must cut that out."

"Noel Bailie and William Murphy will probably be up against Gary Hamilton and Michael Halliday and they will have a job to keep them quiet.

"Defence is maybe an area in which Linfield will need to strengthen a bit."

I think Glentoran's Setanta Cup win offers proof that they have the better panel as both sides were weakened that night and they came out on top as convincing victors Roy Coyle

Coyle believes there is not much to choose between the starting XI of both sides but reckons the Glens have more strength in depth.

"Both teams will be challenging for the league again but I just think the Glens have the edge in terms of a stronger squad.

"Linfield have brought in a lot of young players who are still unproven and it will take them a while to settle in.

"There is a lot of pressure to win at Linfield and they have not really replaced Peter Thompson whose departure has left a big void. His are massive boots to fill.

"I think Glentoran's Setanta Cup win offers proof that they have the better panel as both sides were weakened that night and they came out on top as convincing victors.

"Crusaders have impressed me and Distillery have done alright but I don't think either has the squad to maintain a championship challenge."

Coyle believes Glentoran have "without doubt the best finisher in the league" in Gary Hamilton and compares the striker to recent Manchester United acquisition Dimitar Berbatov.

"Gary is a bit like Berbatov in the sense that sometimes his body language leaves a lot to be desired but you would still bet on him to score goals and he is the best in the Irish League.

"It's not just his goalscoring either, it's the number of assists that he contributes in a season."

The former Blues and Glens supremo added that "people don't realise the pressures players and managers are under at Glentoran and Linfield".

"Players have to perform at their best week in, week out and it takes a while for players like Andy Waterworth, who are coming in, to get used to that.

"It even took Glenn Ferguson a while to settle in at Linfield so I would not judge players like Waterworth too quickly as I believe he will come good.

"On the Linfield side, it is a credit to players like Glenn and Noel Bailie that they have lasted this long and they are fantastic players who will always have legendary status at Windsor Park.

"Inevitably they will have to be replaced eventually as the legs can go a bit even if the ability is still there but they have been and still are fantastic servants to the club."