‘Big’ teams look for separation

FOUR OF the top six teams in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) can pull further away from the chasing pack and consolidate their places, as the first round comes to a close this weekend.

In today’s matches, Waterhouse entertain Dunbeholden at 3 p.m. and Tivoli take on Montego Bay United at 5:30 at Stadium East.

At Sabina Park, Cavalier play Molynes at 4 p.m., Portmore take on Racing at Ferdi Neita at 3 p.m., while Vere battle Chapelton at Wembley Centre of Excellence at 3 p.m.

With the first of three rounds due to be completed this weekend, Mount Pleasant (25 points), Arnett (24), Waterhouse (22), MoBay (21), Portmore (21) and Cavalier (16) complete the top six. The top six teams, after three rounds, qualify for the JPL’s playoffs.

Apart from Cavalier, who have been inactive domestically because of their involvement and eventual victory in the Concacaf Caribbean Cup recently, the other top six teams have created at least a seven-point gap between themselves and those outside the playoff spots.

Seventh-place Dundeholden have 14 points, only two behind Cavalier who have three games in hand but are seven adrift of Portmore in fifth.

Dunbeholden can set themselves up to better challenge for a top-six place when the second round starts if they can get a win against third-place Waterhouse.

However, Drewsland are coming off a loss to rivals Arnett Gardens and know that successive losses could land them further down the standings.

Waterhouse’s defeat to Arnett was their first in 10 matches and they will be looking to rebound immediately. However, Dundeholden are unbeaten in three games and will be hoping extend that run.

In the last two weeks, Tivoli Gardens have scored back-to-back wins to climb away from the relegation zone to eighth and they will fancy their chances against a MoBay team that have failed to win their last two. Nevertheless, the Montegonains have a lot more quality and will start favourites.

At Sabina Park, Caribbean Cup champions, Cavalier return to action after their brief absence from the league. Defeat for the Rudolph Speid-coached team could see them slip out of the top six if Dunbeholden can gather three points. However, the defending champions will be eager to make up lost ground against a Molynes team that was pulled apart 4-0 by Mount Pleasant last weekend.

Molynes are second from bottom on 10 points, one more than Chapelton and the same as Vere, who hold a better goal difference.

For the second week running, Portmore United will be locked in a St Catherine derby and will be hunting their first win in four games against Racing United.

After giving up a two-goal advantage to share the points against Dunbeholden in a 3-3 draw last week, the Rodolph Austin-coached Portmore will want to exert their supremacy and set the record straight against their lesser-known St Catherine counterparts.

Nevertheless, Racing have shown they can compete with the big boys in only their first season in the league. They currently hold 10th position with 12 points, the same as Harbour View.

The day’s other game, a bottom-of-the-table clash and Clarendon derby will see last-place Chapelton travelling to Wembley to face Vere.

Although both teams have picked up the odd point here and there, Chapelton have not tasted victory in eight games, while Vere’s last victory was six matches ago.

However, a win for either team could lift them out of the relegation zone, with the other teams only a point or two away.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Today’s Games

Vere vs Chapelton at Wembley Centre of Excellence at 3:00 p.m.

Portmore vs Racing at Ferdie Neita Park at 3:00 p.m.

Cavalier vs Molynes at Sabina Park at 4:00 p.m.

Waterhouse vs Dunbeholden at Stadium East at 3:00 p.m.

Tivoli vs MoBay at Stadium East at 5:30 p.m.