Montego Bay United's Owayne Gordon (left) gets past Cavalier SC's Richard King in their JPL first round game played at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on December 18th. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo: Paul Reid)
The competition for the final play-off spot in the Jamaica Premier League between Waterhouse FC and Tivoli Gardens will continue today when they play Arnett Gardens and Chapelton Maroons, respectively, in the penultimate round of the regular season.
With two rounds of matches to be played, there are several battles happening up and down the points’ table, with five teams, separated by two points, trying to avoid joining Vere United as the teams that will be relegated at the end of the season.
Also, Montego Bay United, Arnett Gardens and defending champions Cavalier SC are hoping to get the second automatic semi-final qualifying spot behind Mt Pleasant FA.
Both Waterhouse FC and Tivoli Gardens, separated by one point, have been playing well of late, unbeaten in seven and 10 games, respectively, and the race could go all the way to the final day.
On form, however, Tivoli Gardens could leapfrog Waterhouse FC into sixth place today as they face relegation-threatened Chapelton Maroons, who must win today if they are to avoid two relegations in three seasons.
It will be Tivoli Gardens third straight game against teams close to the foot of the table after getting 2-1 wins over Vere United and Harbour View, respectively, in their last two games.
Chapelton Maroons have not scored in their last three games, all losses, and have scored just two goals in their last five outings.
Waterhouse FC will be seeking their first point against Arnett Gardens this season after being beaten 1-0 and 3-2 but will go into the game high on confidence after winning their last three games by a 4-0 aggregate.
Montego Bay United and Cavalier SC have drawn both games 1-1 this season, and while both have already secured their places in the play-offs, the chance to get into the semi-finals could see both teams going hard for a win.
The odds against Cavalier SC are very slim, however, as they can only get to 72 points, the same number Montego Bay United are at now and with a much better goal difference.
Cavalier SC are coming off their first win over Mt Pleasant FA on Thursday, while Montego Bay United lost to the same team on Sunday.
The games at the lower end of the tables promise to be tense, as teams cannot afford any mistakes. Humble Lion will be hopeful against a Racing United team that appear to have relaxed after missing out on a play-off spot but have confirmed their place in the league next season and have nothing but pride to play for.
Harbour View and Vere United drew both games this season, but the former champions are winless in their last four games, while Dunbeholden FC are home to Portmore United, another team that has little to play for, having already secured a play-off spot and cannot get an automatic semi-final spot.
Today’s games:
-Waterhouse FC vs Arnett Gardens- Drewsland stadium
-Mt Pleasant FA vs Molynes United- Drax Hall Dunbeholden FC vs Portmore United -Dunbleholden
-Montego Bay United vs Cavalier SC- Montego Bay Sports Complex
-Chapelton Maroons vs Tivoli Gardens- Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex
-Racing United vs Humble Lion- Ferdie Neita Park
-Paul Reid