Soccer

Linfield v Cliftonville: Match details, kick-off time and how to watch as last year’s Irish Cup finalists meet again in the Irish League

Jim Magilton’s Reds take the cross-city trip to Windsor Park to take on rivals Linfield, managed by David Healy

PACEMAKER PRESS BELFAST 17-09-24 Sports Direct Premiership MD 8 Cliftonville v Linfield Taylor Steven of Cliftonville tackles Charlie Allen of Linfield during this evening’s game at Solitude, Belfast. Photo - Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Press
Taylor Steven of Cliftonville tackles Charlie Allen of Linfield during September's meeting of the two sides at Solitude, North Belfast. Photo: Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Press (Andrew McCarroll/Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Pres)
By Liam Grimley

It’s north v south as two of Belfast’s biggest clubs meet at Windsor Park on Saturday evening to further their respective causes in this year’s Sports Direct Premiership.

Cliftonville currently sit in fifth place in the league and look to secure their place in the top half of the table when the league splits, needing three points against the Sky Blues to leapfrog Portadown into fourth place.

Linfield have a loftier goal in mind, with a 15-point lead at the top of the Irish Premiership and hoping to solidify their first league title since 2022.

Jim Magilton’s team ran out 2-1 winners in their previous meeting with David Healy’s men at Windsor Park in October, with two late goals from Ryan Cullen and Ruaidhri Donnelly securing the away win for the Reds.

Both teams will be looking to their star forwards to grab the three points on offer, with Joel Cooper and Joe ‘The Goal’ Gormley both sitting atop the scoring charts with 15 goals apiece this season.

The first few weeks of 2025 have been trying for the two clubs, with Michael Newberry, a former Linfield and, most recently, Cliftonville player, dying at the age of 27 suddenly shortly after Christmas.

Representatives of both clubs travelled to Newcastle for his memorial service at St James' Park, where his boyhood club Newcastle United plays.

Where and when does Linfield play Cliftonville in the Sports Direct Premiership?

Linfield will host Cliftonville in the NIFL Premiership at Windsor Park on Saturday, January 25.

Kick-off is scheduled for 5.30pm.

Where can I watch Linfield v Cliftonville?

BBC Two NI will show the game live, with coverage starting at 5.05pm.

Alternatively, you can watch the game on BBCiPlayer.