THE ninth round of the Red Stripe Premier League continues today with the top teams jostling to stake a claim in the First End-of-Round final set for November 12.

Leaders Harbour View, Sporting Central Academy and Arnett Gardens are all locked on 16 points after eight games, with Boys' Town on 15 and both Humble Lion and Portmore United with 13 vying for those spots.

Of the six teams, Harbour View appear to have the most difficult match when they travel to Drewsland to face ninth-placed Waterhouse, on nine points and eager to kick-start their season.

The 'Stars of the East' will be boosted by the rich vein of form of their midfield maestro Jermaine Hue, who gave a masterful display in Jamaica's 4-1 win over Antigua and Barbuda and with Joel Senior growing in confidence alongside Jermie Lynch, Damion Harwood, Kemeel Wolfe and John Ross-Edwards, Harbour View will be a force to reckon with this season.

Waterhouse, on the other hand, have been inconsistent but remain a dangerous team on any given day and it would be surprising if they cool Harbour View.

With the likes of Jermaine Anderson, Andre Clennon, Gary McIntosh, Vincent Earle, Hugh Howell, Rohan Amos and Troy Reid, Waterhouse have enough firepower to beat any team.

Meanwhile, at Brancourt, second-placed Sporting will try to stay in touch with the leader when they host 10th-placed Montego Bay, on seven points.

Third-placed Arnett, on 16, are favoured to secure match No 6 at the expense of a slipping Savannah, down to eighth spot with 10 points, after being brought down back to earth, losing their last three games.

Boys' Town are in the cat bird's seat in fourth spot with 15 points and should utilise home advantage and secure points against bottom side Highgate, on five points.

Former champions Tivoli Gardens, seventh spot on 11 points, tackle promoted Cavalier, in 11th spot on six points and on a four-game losing streak.

Another loss for the David

Lalor-coached Cavalier would shatter their confidence, while defeat for Tivoli would end their hopes of making it to the incentive final.