Linfield on verge of 50th Irish League title

David Jeffrey's Linfield clinched their 49th title in April 2010

Champions Linfield will effectively secure their 50th league title if they beat Cliftonville on Saturday.

The Blues are six points ahead of second-placed Crusaders with three games left and their goal difference is better by a massive margin of 25.

Linfield midfielder Jamie Mulgrew and defender Stephen Douglas are suspended.

"We have four points to get. People talk about the goal difference but you do not take anything for granted," said Blues boss David Jeffrey.

"We have three games to get those points - against Cliftonville, Lisburn Distillery and Portadown.

"We are concentrating on Cliftonville. They had a great result against Portadown last weekend and played tremendously well in the Setanta Cup against Dundalk.

"Tommy Breslin has come in as manager now. Eddie Patterson did a fantastic job but sometimes when a new person comes in there is a change in the players and how things go."

Carling Premiership - Saturday 23 April

Crusaders v Portadown

Glentoran v Lisburn Distillery

Linfield v Cliftonville

Ballymena v Newry

Coleraine v Dungannon Swifts

Glenavon v Donegal Celtic