Former Linfield and Glentoran boss Roy Coyle believes the winner of Friday's crucial game between the Belfast sides will go on to win the league title.
Coyle, the most successful manager in Irish League history, says that the absence of suspended Glens captain Paul Leeman could prove a decisive factor at the Oval.
"Glentoran have three central defenders serving bans - Leeman, Jonny Taylor and Philip Simpson - but they will miss Leeman the most because of his experience and organisational abilities.
"For that reason, I am leaning towards a Linfield win, but these Big Two matches can go either way.
"The last time the teams met at the Oval the Glens were by far the better side and really bossed the game.
"They won all the personal battles and Shane McCabe was dominant in midfield.
"Then when the teams met at Windsor Park a few weeks later Linfield really battered them in the second half.
"Jamie Mulgrew was very influential and his return from injury, along with the creativity he brings, has been a real boost for the Blues.
"Glenn Ferguson is also fit and raring to go and he brings a wealth of experience to matches such as this."
This year offered a really good chance for another club to threaten the Big Two and really have a go
Roy Coyle
Neither of the Belfast rivals has shown the consistency which has been their hallmark in recent years and Coyle points to new faces in the Linfield camp and injuries to the Glens squad as the main factors for their erratic results this season.
"Both clubs will admit they have been very up and down this season, much more so than usual.
"In the case of Linfield, they have a lot of new faces who are getting used to the pressure which goes with playing for the club, and the expectation surrounding it.
"The Glens have had a lot of injuries so we have ended up with a league in which no team has dominated.
"This year offered a really good chance for another club to threaten the Big Two and really have a go but while other sides have done well in cup competitions, they have not been able to sustain a challenge for the championship.
"If Linfield beat the Glens, or indeed vice versa, I think they will go on to win the league.
"Both clubs know how to go about winning championships and have enough people who have been in the situation of closing out title races before.
"Both managers and both sets of players should be able to handle the pressure, it's all about who steps up to the plate on the day."
Roy Coyle was talking to BBC Sport NI's Richard Petrie
There will be live commentary on the match on Radio Ulster MW and the BBC Sport website from 1945 BST on Friday night.
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