Top-six, relegation battles highlight JPL games

THE FRANTIC finish in the race for a top-six Jamaica Premier League (JPL) playoff spot continues today with a host of intriguing fixtures.

At Ferdie Neita Park, fifth-place Humble Lion visit former winners, Portmore, who are lurking in seventh place.

Humble Lion have 39 points, four more than Portmore and three ahead of sixth-place Waterhouse, and coach Andrew Price knows their position could become increasingly vulnerable with defeat to a direct playoff rival.

“We have three tough games and three must-win games. We will not rest until we get maximum points from the games. We are taking it one game at a time, but it is important we pick up all three points against Portmore,” Price said.

“So it’s about going there and putting in a workmanlike performance to get the three points.”

Portmore’s six-match unbeaten run in the JPL was broken by Cavalier last weekend; however, they recovered to dispatch Chapelton to book a spot in the Lynk Cup national knockout semifinal and Price believes that will be a massive boost to their confidence.

“I expect them to come full of running and energy. The mentality we want is to go there and get a victory. We want to go there knowing it’s a must-win game and we have to get three points.

“So we know what we have to do and we just have to navigate this game and move on to the next,” he said.

Portmore themselves cannot afford any more slip-ups if they want their good recent form to count for something. The team had put together a run of four wins and two draws to claim a spot in the top six for the first time this season; however, their defeat to Cavalier last week caused them one place on the table, with Waterhouse reclaiming sixth with a win.

Portmore coach Phillip Williams also believes the game is a must-win match and insists nothing but three points will be accepted.

TEAM SPIRIT

“The team spirit is there. The belief is there. So I don’t think that one game (defeat to Cavalier) can define the rest of our season.

“There are three very tough games remaining to play and we will have to win but we are up for it because we are still in a very good place,” he said.

Waterhouse will also have their work out cut out against the league leaders Cavalier, who have looked really strong in recent weeks.

In the meantime, Faulkland’s fate in the league could be decided today if Tivoli and Vere win or if they fail to get maximum points against joint league leaders Arnett Gardens.

Faulkland are second from bottom with 11 points, nine behind Tivoli and Vere.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Today’s Games

- Portmore vs Humble Lion at Ferdie Neita Park at 4 p.m.

- Faulkland vs Arnett at Catherine Hall Sports Complex at 3:30 p.m.

- MoBay vs Harbour View at Catherine Hall Sports Complex at 5:30 p.m.

- Molynes vs Tivoli at Waterhouse mini-stadium at 2 p.m.

- Waterhouse vs Cavalier at Waterhouse Mini-stadium at 4:15 p.m.

Tomorrow’s Games

- Dunbeholden vs Vere at Ashenheim Stadium at 5 p.m.

- Mount Pleasant vs Chapelton at Ashenheim Stadium at 7:30 p.m.