The leaders show patience to earn a vital comeback win at Seaview.
Trailing to a Ross Clarke wonder strike at half-time, goals from Joel Cooper and Shayne Lavery give them a 2-1 victory.
It stretches their lead at the top to 11 points, though second-placed Coleraine will hope to respond when they play one of their three games in hand on Saturday.
Lavery's at it again
Crusaders 1-2 Linfield
In-form Shayne Lavery lashes home to put Linfield ahead.
Video content
Video caption: Shayne Lavery makes it 2-1 to Linfield.Shayne Lavery makes it 2-1 to Linfield.
Classy Cooper levels for Linfield
Crusaders 1-2 Linfield
Video content
Video caption: Joel Cooper fires in the equaliser for Linfield.Joel Cooper fires in the equaliser for Linfield.
GOAL
Crusaders 1-2 Linfield
Shayne Lavery fires Linfield into the lead.
It was a poor touch at the back post by Paul Heatley from a corner and in-form Lavery pounced to smash it home from close range.
GOAL
Crusaders 1-1 Linfield
Joel Cooper equalises for Linfield with a stylish goal.
His first touch was immaculate to control a long pass forward from Niall Quinn and he stood two defenders up, checked inside and then back on his left to drill a low strike beyond Jonny Tuffey and into the bottom corner.
Quality goal from a quality player.
Here we go again
Crusaders 1-0 Linfield
Second half up and running at Seaview.
Can the title holders produce a response?
HALF-TIME
Crusaders 1-0 Linfield
A fantastic bullet strike from Ross Clarke on 16 minutes separates the sides at the break.
The goal arrived after a cagey start to the game and, while they have passed the ball well, Linfield have failed to create any real meaningful chances in the opening 45 minutes.
Not much between the sides, but it's the Crues who have their noses in front at half-time.
Linfield need a spark
Crusaders 1-0 Linfield
All a bit pedestrian so far from Linfield, who have failed to create a chance of note since falling behind.
They've looked comfortable on the ball but supporters will no doubt want a bit more urgency if they are to get back into this game.
Cracker from Clarke
Crusaders 1-0 Linfield
You just don't save those.
An absolute rocket from Ross Clarke to open the scoring.
Video content
Video caption: Ross Clarke scores a stunning opening goal for Crusaders.Ross Clarke scores a stunning opening goal for Crusaders.
GOAL
Crusaders 1-0 Linfield
Ross Clarke opens the scoring with an absolute wonder goal.
The winger cut inside from the right and lashed a left-foot rocket that arrowed into the top corner.
A ferocious strike from the former Linfield man that has livened up a quiet start to the game.
Cagey so far
Crusaders 0-0 Linfield
If you've only joined us, you haven't missed much.
Tight opening 10 minutes as the two sides size each other up.
From the start
Crusaders 0-0 Linfield
Let's see what these teams have got.
Looking forward to this one.
Underway at Seaview.
Crusaders team
Crusaders v Linfield
BBC SportCopyright: BBC Sport
Crusaders team to face Linfield.Image caption: Crusaders team to face Linfield.
Linfield team
Crusaders v Linfield
BBC SportCopyright: BBC Sport
Linfield team to face Crusaders.Image caption: Linfield team to face Crusaders.
Always a big one
Crusaders v Linfield
The Irish Premiership returns to the BBC2 NI schedule tonight as Crusaders welcome Linfield to north Belfast.
It may not be the top-of-the-table clash that the Crues would have hoped for, but that will not impact the desire of either side under the lights at Seaview.
Crusaders' title challenge has faded of late amidst an inconsistent run and they go into the clash 15 points behind David Healy's leaders, though they have played a game less.
It's a different story for the title holders, meanwhile, who have won four games on the bounce.
It's always a big one and, as well as full TV coverage, we have you covered on here for text commentary and goal clips.
Sit back and enjoy.
BBC SportCopyright: BBC Sport
Watch Crusaders v Linfield on BBC Two NI and the BBC Sport website.Image caption: Watch Crusaders v Linfield on BBC Two NI and the BBC Sport website.
Live Reporting
All times stated are UK
Video caption: Shayne Lavery makes it 2-1 to Linfield.Shayne Lavery makes it 2-1 to Linfield. Video caption: Joel Cooper fires in the equaliser for Linfield.Joel Cooper fires in the equaliser for Linfield. Video caption: Ross Clarke scores a stunning opening goal for Crusaders.Ross Clarke scores a stunning opening goal for Crusaders. 
BBC SportCopyright: BBC Sport Crusaders team to face Linfield.Image caption: Crusaders team to face Linfield. 
BBC SportCopyright: BBC Sport Linfield team to face Crusaders.Image caption: Linfield team to face Crusaders. 
BBC SportCopyright: BBC Sport Watch Crusaders v Linfield on BBC Two NI and the BBC Sport website.Image caption: Watch Crusaders v Linfield on BBC Two NI and the BBC Sport website.
Latest PostFULL-TIME
Crusaders 1-2 Linfield
The leaders show patience to earn a vital comeback win at Seaview.
Trailing to a Ross Clarke wonder strike at half-time, goals from Joel Cooper and Shayne Lavery give them a 2-1 victory.
It stretches their lead at the top to 11 points, though second-placed Coleraine will hope to respond when they play one of their three games in hand on Saturday.
Lavery's at it again
Crusaders 1-2 Linfield
In-form Shayne Lavery lashes home to put Linfield ahead.
Video content
Classy Cooper levels for Linfield
Crusaders 1-2 Linfield
Video content
GOAL
Crusaders 1-2 Linfield
Shayne Lavery fires Linfield into the lead.
It was a poor touch at the back post by Paul Heatley from a corner and in-form Lavery pounced to smash it home from close range.
GOAL
Crusaders 1-1 Linfield
Joel Cooper equalises for Linfield with a stylish goal.
His first touch was immaculate to control a long pass forward from Niall Quinn and he stood two defenders up, checked inside and then back on his left to drill a low strike beyond Jonny Tuffey and into the bottom corner.
Quality goal from a quality player.
Here we go again
Crusaders 1-0 Linfield
Second half up and running at Seaview.
Can the title holders produce a response?
HALF-TIME
Crusaders 1-0 Linfield
A fantastic bullet strike from Ross Clarke on 16 minutes separates the sides at the break.
The goal arrived after a cagey start to the game and, while they have passed the ball well, Linfield have failed to create any real meaningful chances in the opening 45 minutes.
Not much between the sides, but it's the Crues who have their noses in front at half-time.
Linfield need a spark
Crusaders 1-0 Linfield
All a bit pedestrian so far from Linfield, who have failed to create a chance of note since falling behind.
They've looked comfortable on the ball but supporters will no doubt want a bit more urgency if they are to get back into this game.
Cracker from Clarke
Crusaders 1-0 Linfield
You just don't save those.
An absolute rocket from Ross Clarke to open the scoring.
Video content
GOAL
Crusaders 1-0 Linfield
Ross Clarke opens the scoring with an absolute wonder goal.
The winger cut inside from the right and lashed a left-foot rocket that arrowed into the top corner.
A ferocious strike from the former Linfield man that has livened up a quiet start to the game.
Cagey so far
Crusaders 0-0 Linfield
If you've only joined us, you haven't missed much.
Tight opening 10 minutes as the two sides size each other up.
From the start
Crusaders 0-0 Linfield
Let's see what these teams have got.
Looking forward to this one.
Underway at Seaview.
Crusaders team
Crusaders v Linfield
Linfield team
Crusaders v Linfield
Always a big one
Crusaders v Linfield
The Irish Premiership returns to the BBC2 NI schedule tonight as Crusaders welcome Linfield to north Belfast.
It may not be the top-of-the-table clash that the Crues would have hoped for, but that will not impact the desire of either side under the lights at Seaview.
Crusaders' title challenge has faded of late amidst an inconsistent run and they go into the clash 15 points behind David Healy's leaders, though they have played a game less.
It's a different story for the title holders, meanwhile, who have won four games on the bounce.
It's always a big one and, as well as full TV coverage, we have you covered on here for text commentary and goal clips.
Sit back and enjoy.