LINFIELD will be in a vengeful mood at Seaview this afternoon.

They will be making another attempt to defeat Smirnoff Irish League Premier Division leaders Crusaders, who brought their hopes of retaining the Bass Irish Cup to an end at the same venue a fortnight ago.

Linfield subsequently forced their way back into title reckoning in the league race with a victory over third placed Glenavon, but to stay in the running must smash the dominance of Crusaders.

Pat Fenlon, Linfield's Dublin based midfielder, is confident they will do it. "The win over Glenavon was just the boost we needed. The players are keyed up to go on from there," he said.

Portadown, poised one point behind Crusaders, have a difficult assignment at Solitude against Cliftonville, who ended their 17 year trophy famine in midweek, beating Glentoran to take the Coca Cola Cup.

Genavon are in a position to take advantage of any slip up by the top two, but to do so must overcome dour and uncompromising Ards at Mourneview Park.