JPL top five in dogfight for points
Published:Sunday | February 11, 2024 | 12:14 AMLivingston Scott - Gleaner Writer
THE LAST time Cavalier sat at the top of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL), they didn’t last more than a week.
However, the Rudolph Speid-coached team will be aiming to remain top of the table for a second week this time around when they take on bottom-of-the-table Lime Hall in the first of two games at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
Just four points separate the top-five teams in the league, a closer look bearing the truth of a very competitive season.
Cavalier sit at the summit with 37 points, followed by Mount Pleasant on 36, Portmore United, 35, Tivoli Gardens, 34, and Arnett Gardens, 33.
Failure from Cavalier to take three points from the cellar dwellers could result in Mount Pleasant or Portmore assuming the lead.
Outside of being knocked off their perch, anything but three points should be a disappointment for the league leaders, who are unbeaten in 10 games, with eight wins in that run.
The black-and-white-clad team also have the meanest defence in the competition with just nine conceded, and, although the teams drew the first time they met, Lime Hall have just eight goals to their name, so only one result is expected when the teams cross paths this afternoon.
However, Lime Hall are motivated after picking up their first win, with victory over fellow promoted team Treasure Beach last weekend.
The Vannie Clarke-coached team will come into the game with hopes for a second win or at least a draw.
In the second game at 6 p.m., Portmore United will start favourites against Molynes United.
However, Molynes have been steadily improving since Jermaine Thomas took over as coach.
They have been beaten just three times in the last 10 games, and, in their previous match, they held Mount Pleasant to a 1-1 draw and are now 12th on the table with 15 points.
Brown has been pleased with the discipline and organisation of the team in recent games, and, although they gave up a late goal in the Mount Pleasant match, he believes they are getting stronger defensively as well.
Still, they will have a tall task against Portmore, who, like Cavalier, have been on a tear, undefeated in 10 matches, with seven wins in those games.
Portmore are also the second-best attacking team with 29 goals scored, two less than Tivoli’s 31 goals.
They also have the second-best defence behind Cavalier with only 11 goals conceded, and, with Shacquwell Henry, Chevaughn Walsh and Steven Young running into form, Molynes will need to be as good or even better than they were against Mount Pleasant to get a result.
In the big match out West, Montego Bay United entertain Arnett at Wespow Park.
With just one loss in their last six games, MoBay, who are eighth with 22 points, have been slowly closing in on the top six.
Despite their inconsistent results, Neider Dos Santos’ team have fared well against the top teams this season and will fancy their chances even more playing at home.
Arnett are coming off a demoralising defeat to rivals Tivoli and will be eager to bounce back. However, MoBay have shown they are one of the better teams in the league at this stage, which makes for an interesting and exciting contest with these two traditional favourites.
Tivoli will also expect to get the better of Humble Lion, who have had difficulties finding their feet under coach Vassell Reynolds.
They will require a major boost from the home crowd to avoid a 10th defeat of the season.
In the meantime, Dunbeholden will have high hopes of a first win in six matches, when they tackle Treasure Beach, who have lost 12 consecutive games.