Cavalier look to rebound in JPL
Published:Monday | March 18, 2024 | 12:11 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Cavalier risk slipping out of Jamaica Premier League (JPL) top two and an automatic semi-final spot if they lose to Portmore United in a double-header at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex today. Kick-off time is 5 p.m.
Cavalier, who are still smarting from their 2-0 defeat by leaders Mount Pleasant last weekend, are second on 45 points, three more than Tivoli, Portmore, and Arnett Gardens, respectively, and will be desperate to hang on to their top -two status, a position they have held for the last six rounds of games.
The Rudolph Speid-coached team lost the number-one spot last week after losing their 14-match unbeaten run to Mount Pleasant.
Today, they will be up against the team with the longest unbeaten stretch this season. Portmore are undefeated in 15 games.
The last two matches were the first time this season that Cavalier had conceded more than once in a game, and if they are to rebound with a win today, they will need that rock-solid defence that only conceded 10 goals in 20 games.
Although Speid’s team has not won in their last three matches, they know that failure to do so for a fourth straight match could be detrimental to their hopes of a direct semi-final spot.
Despite holding the longest unbeaten streak in the league, Portmore have not been firing on all cylinders either.
Striker Chevaughn Walsh continues to show good form, but the team has only won one of their last five matches.
The Philip Williams-coached team has kept things fairly tight at the defensive end, with just five goals conceded in their last eight games.
However, with both teams not showing their best attacking form at present, it could be anyone’s game and will come down to who wants it more.
In the second game at 7:30 p.m., Arnett Gardens will start clear favourites against struggling Humble Lion, who are 11th in the standings on 22 points
Arnett are on a stable run, going five games without defeat, and they will be expected to stretch that run to six games when they face the Clarendon-based club.
Humble Lion are unbeaten in two games and got their first win in eight matches under new coach Christopher Bender. After a 1-1 draw with Cavalier and then their emphatic 3-0 win over Vere in the Clarendon derby last weekend, Humble Lion will fancy their chances of a positive result tonight.