Arnett, Mount Pleasant square off at the top

JAMAICA PREMIER League (JPL) leaders Mount Pleasant and second-placed Arnett Gardens square off in a top-of-the-table clash, at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex this evening at 7:00.

Defending champions Mount Pleasant lead the league with 22 points, four ahead of Arnett and Tivoli Gardens in second and third, respectively.

The St Ann team got off to a flying start this season, winning their first six matches.

However, since sharing the spoils with Waterhouse four weeks ago, the Theodore Whitmore-coached team have taken just four points from the last four matches.

Last weekend, the team rebounded from a three-game winless streak, during which they lost twice, to defeat Treasure Beach.

However, a test against an in-form Arnett Gardens will prove if the expensively assembled Mount Pleasant squad are really out of their slump.

The injury to winger Kimoni Bailey has coincided with Mount Pleasant’s dip in form, and it is still uncertain if the player, who has scored four and assisted two of Mount Pleasant’s 15 goals, will be fit enough to play.

The game will also mark the return to the ‘Jungle’ for Romeo Guthrie, Marlon Allen and Damari Deacon, three key members of Arnett Gardens, who exited the club at the end of the last campaign.

With Bailey still doubtful, Mount Pleasant will have to look to Allen, Atapharoy Bygrave, Demario Phillips, veteran defender Suelae McCalla, Oquassa Chong and others for their first back-to-back win in five games.

Arnett Gardens come into the game having played one match less than their opponent, who have played 10. They also remain the only team to have lost just once this season.

That defeat came at the hands of Tivoli in the fourth round. However, since then the Xavier Gilbert-coached team have won four of their last five games.

Although there were question marks over Gilbert, who has coached females most of his career, he has, so far, answered his critics, with Arnett looking like one of the top contenders this season.

The attacking trio of Shai Smith, Warner Brown and Kimani Arbouine are largely responsible for the 16 goals Arnett have netted.

Defensively, Arnett’s group of goalkeeper Ricardo White, Roshawn Amos, Gerald Neil and Joel Cunningham have conceded just seven goals. Arnett’s opponents, though, have only been breached six times.

At the other end of the pitch the teams also appear evenly matched, with Mount Pleasant scoring one less than Arnett this season.

The game should provide some good attacking football for the neutrals.

Today’s Games

Mt Pleasant vs Arnett at Anthony Spaulding Complex at 7 p.m.

Molynes vs Montego Bay Utd at Anthony Spaulding Complex at 5 p.m.

Harbour View vs Tivoli at JC Ashenheim Stadium at 5 p.m.

Dunbeholden vs Waterhouse at JC Ashenheim Stadium at 3 p.m.

Cavalier vs Treasure Beach at Sabina Park at 3 p.m.

Vere vs Portmore at Wembley Centre of Excellence at 3 p.m.

Lime Hall vs Humble Lion at Drax Hall at 3 p.m.