Early skirmish at the top

THERE WILL be an early top-of-the-table clash in the Wray and Nephew-sponsored Jamaica Premier League (JPL) as league leaders Montego Bay United play hosts to second-place Portmore United today at the Catherine Hall Sport Complex at 5:30 p.m.

Montego Bay sit atop the league with 13 points, just one ahead of Portmore with 12.

They will be looking to return to winning ways as well as extend their unbeaten run to five games in a row under head coach Rodolfo Zapata when they take on Portmore in today’s encounter.

In their last outing, Montego Bay were held to a scoreless draw against Humble Lion in an away fixture last week Sunday.

It was the second time this season that Montego Bay were failing to secure all three points. Their only other blemish in their near-perfect start to the season was a close 2-1 loss to Harbour View in match-week two.

For Portmore United, it is a chance for them to take the top spot in the league, given favourable results in other fixtures.

The St Catherine-based team recovered from their back-to-back opening defeats with four wins in a row in their climb up the table.

In their last encounter, they got the better of recently promoted outfit Chapelton Maroons 2-1 through a brace from Junior Grizzelle.

Grizzelle, the former schoolboy standout, has been enjoying fine goalscoring form this season, with four goals in his last five games.

He had bagged the opener in Portmore’s fixtures against Tivoli Gardens and Vere Phoenix United in game-weeks two and three, respectively.

Also in action in the JPL, Molynes United will be looking to grab all three points to escape the relegation zone when they face Humble Lion at Drax Hall in the first game of a double header.

Molynes sit just inside the drop with three points, with only Dunbeholden separating them from the foot of the table.

The Jermaine Thomas-coached team has had a rough start to the season, with just one win and a draw from their six games.

They will be hoping to turn those fortunes around against Humble Lion, who have yet to secure a win this season, having drawn five games so far.

That match is set to kick off at 1:00 p.m. before Mount Pleasant takes on a misfiring Tivoli Gardens at 3:15 p.m.

Mount Pleasant, sitting in fifth with nine points, will be looking to climb up the table should they get a result against a Tivoli Gardens squad, which has only won once this season.

Tivoli, on the other hand, face a stern test against last season’s beaten finalists as they are 10th in the league with five points.

Today’s Games

Molynes vs Humble Lion @ Drax Hall (1:00 p.m.)

Mt Pleasant vs Tivoli @ Drax Hall (3:15 p.m.)

Dunbeholden vs Harbour View @ Dunbeholden Sports Complex (3:00 p.m.)

MoBay vs Portmore @ Catherine Hall (5:30 p.m.)