Top two go head to head at Windsor Park
David Healy’s side can draw level with their opponents with a win
No one of a blue and white persuasion will need reminding of the last time Coleraine met Linfield.
Back in September, the Bannsiders were dismantled by the Blues as David Healy’s men scored three times on their way to leaving the Showgrounds with three points.
It was a sobering night for Ruaidhri Higgins and his players but they responded positively to the setback, winning their next four before drawing with Glentoran last Friday night.
Saturday’s hosts, too, go into the tea-time kick-off in fine form, also unbeaten in their last five - three wins and two draws.
It sets up a mouth watering encounter in front of the BBC cameras and what promises to be the biggest crowd of the weekend.
“It's a great game,” admitted Bannsiders’ boss Ruaidhri Higgins.
“Both teams are in great form and Windsor Park's a brilliant venue.
“It's been good to us the last couple of times we were there in terms of cup final and cup semi-finals and it's a place we like.
“But we also know how difficult a task it's going to be because Linfield have been fantastic this season,” he added.
“We're good to go in terms of personnel: we're in a really good place squad wise and training has been really good this week.
“As long as we can transfer that into the game we give ourselves a good chance
“Hopefully we can put in a really good performance and get a positive result.”
Linfield’s victory in September was a first in seven games against Coleraine, the Bannsiders winning 3-0 on their last league visit to Windsor Park at the tail end of the 2025-26 campaign.
Indeed, Coleraine’s performances on the road have been exemplary in recent times, winning all of their away games to date this season.
But Linfield present formidable opposition, having recovered from a shock opening day defeat at home to Ballymena United to climb their way to second in the standings.
The stage is set then for a key game in the race for the Gibson Cup.