At Taylors Avenue, Carrick host Larne, who sit top of the Irish Premiership at Christmas.
After 19 years on the red and black side of the rivalry in north Belfast, this is former Crusaders boss Stephen Baxter’s second year in charge of Carrick for the east Antrim derby.
Last season, at Inver Park, it ended 0-0 and Baxter is eagerly anticipating what he called his “highlight of the year”.
“If you asked any of the players and managers, it is the game they look forward to. For me, it’s the highlight of the year, the Boxing Day derbies,” Baxter said.
League leaders Larne are unbeaten in their last 10 Irish Premiership games and have registered clean sheets in their past three matches. However, manager Gary Haveron is not underestimating the task ahead in the derby.
“Really difficult place to go, always has been, Taylors Avenue. The pitch will play a part, but they are a hard team to play against, and Stephen will have them well drilled for the game,” Haveron said.
