RODNEY McAree’s Glentoran will be hoping to continue their resurgence, following the 5-1 victory over Carrick Rangers on Tuesday night, when his side face Gary Hamilton’s struggling Glenavon at the Oval this evening.
Both teams have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, with Glentoran losing to north Belfast duo Cliftonville and Crusaders on consecutive weekends, either side of a disappointing draw away to tonight’s opponents.
Glenavon themselves have lost three of their last six outings. Perhaps most disappointing for the Lurgan Blues is that two of these defeats came against Portadown and Newry City, two sides below them in the table.
On a positive note they have managed to pick up two home draws with the Glens and Crusaders, something that will perplex the fans.
Both sides won their last outings, Glentoran on their trip to Carrick and Glenavon defeating Newry 1-0 away last weekend. Those results will give some impetus going into tonight’s game.
The east Belfast side may have to do without a number of front-line players, with Shay McCartan, Rory Donnelly and Croat Hrvoje Plum all doubts.
Niall McGinn is likely to be a couple of weeks away from full fitness.
However, they will be able to avail of Conor McMenamin following his call-up to the Northern Ireland squad.
Glenavon have few new injury concerns and will be hoping that last week’s goalscorer Jamie Doran can add to his tally as well as pushing forward to support Matthew Fitzpatrick, who will lead the line.
Although Glenavon find themselves a whopping 23 points behind their hosts, it is the Lurgan men who shade the head-to-heads this season against McAree’s men. The recent draw between the two was preceded by a 2-1 win for Glenavon at Mourneview back in November.
Glentoran will surely start as favourites but know another defeat in the league will almost certainly end their quest for silverware for another season.
