THERE’S A WILL & AWAY FOR LINFIELD

JORDAN OWENS hopes a solid Seaview provides the firm foundations for a Crusaders title challenge in the Premiership.

Stephen Baxter’s men, who kicked off the new campaign with a clinical 4-1 win over 10-man Ballymena United on Friday night, face their first home fixture this evening.

Newly promoted Warrenpoint Town – who are out to bounce back from Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Glenavon – are the visitors to North Belfast. But Owens says the compact Shore Road venue can continue to be a fortress as the Crues bid to return the

Gibson Cup to Seaview.

In their last 35 home league games, dating back to August 2015, Baxter’s boys – who just missed out on a third successive title last season – have won 29 and drawn five.

Their only top flight home defeat in the past 24 months came on New Year’s Eve – a 2-1 loss to Linfield, who went on to win the championship.

Key striker Owens said: “Home form is important. We have played well at Seaview in recent times and have a good record there. Teams don’t like going to Seaview and hopefully that continues.

“Warrenpoint will be tough. They have come up from the Championship and they’ll want to make an impact and maybe target the top six.

“Matthew Tipton has brought in

Linfield, 7.45pm

IT’S AIR JORDAN Striker Owens showed he was right up for the challenge in last Friday’s win over Ballymena (All 7.45pm kick-offs) Ards v Linfield Carrick v Ballymena Coleraine v Cliftonville Crusaders v Warrenpoint Glenavon v Ballinamallard Glentoran...

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