Having finished in mid-table mediocrity last season, Gerry Flynn’s side look set for a similar season, gaining eight points from their opening eight matches and sitting in eighth spot. In fact, the team sit just one point ahead of the Lurgan Blues having played one more game.

However, Saturday’s game promises to be another tough, tight encounter for Glenavon as Newry appear to be the draw specialists of this season’s IFA Premiership. City have managed to draw five league matches so far; the majority of their games.

Gerry Flynn’s team have gained some similar results to Glenavon so far this season, going down 3-0 to Coleraine and beating Cliftonville 1-0 which goes to show how tense Saturday’s game is sure to be.

Blues’ boss Stevie McBride respects that the league will be very tight this season and is preparing his side for another typically tough JJB Premiership encounter.

“They’re all tough,” he told the Mail.

“I’ll be saying that every week. Teams are taking points off each other and Institute went to Newry on Saturday and got a good point.

“Newry were disappointed that they didn’t win it but they seem to be the draw specialists at the minute. They’re probably thinking, ‘When are we going to get a win?’”

The Lurgan Blues are currently going through a well-documented period of injury headaches and, despite long-running problems with Mark Turkington and Gerard McMahon, McBride hopes that club’s physios will start to get a rest in the coming weeks.

“Saturday will really all come down to who we have available after our recent spate of injuries,” he said.

“Niall Hudson won’t be far away and Eamon Murray has a flu virus at the minute so hopefully he won’t be far away either. We’ll have a better idea of what we’ve got after training on Thursday night.

“Gerdie McMahon’s hamstring injury and Turk’s (Mark Turkington) knee problem are dragging on a wee bit.

“We think it’s best now to get a specialist’s opinion to see if there’s anything that they’re doing wrong, we’re doing wrong or if there’s anything we can do to speed up the recovery. If it needs a wee injection or something done then it’s best sorting it out sooner rather than later.”

During the recent summer transfer window, Glenavon and Newry were involved in a significant amount of transfer business between the two clubs. Niall Hudson and Robert Robinson both made their way from City to the Lurgan side with Paul Walsh travelling in the opposite direction. Stevie McBride believes that this recent transfer history will add some spice to the ‘derby’ fixture.

“‘(Robert Robinson and Niall Hudson, like anyone when they play against their old team, will want to do well,” said the Glenavon Head Coach.

“At the end of the day we want them to do well for us and three points is more important than putting one over on your old club.

“However, I’m sure it will add something to the game.