THE race for two spots in next season’s Digicel Premier League (DPL) starts today with Reno taking on Cavalier at Frome and Meadows facing Benfica at the Prison Oval in the opening play-off games, starting at 3:30 pm.

In the feature match, former national champions Reno will start favourites against Cavalier, who are seeking their first return to the big league since 1994.

Reno have a host of players from their DPL campaign two season ago, including national representative Evon Taylor, Fabian Blake and Nyron Davis.

Coach Wendell Downswell said were able to retain up to 90 per cent of the squad and the players’ experience has proven invaluable.

“We have players with Premier League and under-21 experience, so we’re in good stead in terms of the quality of players…

“But it’s a relatively young squad because we’re going through a rebuilding process. But our intention is to get back into the premiership and take it from there,” he said.

The former national technical director said Cavalier is a quality opponent who will not be easily beaten.

He also believes the fact that they have not played in over two months will have a significant bearing on the match.

“Traditionally, Reno and Cavalier is always a classic match-up… but they have gotten good results against Premier League teams, so we see them as a formidable opposition.

“But we intend to start on a positive note because we did well in the Super League and we want to continue that trend,” he added.

Cavalier’s coach Lamar Morgan said going to Reno is a daunting task, but they can come away with a result.

“It will be tough going up against the Reno team; they’re confident and they’re at home, but at the same time we have to be positive in our resolve,” he stated.

He also shrugged off talk that his team’s long lay-off will negatively impact their performance, especially for this match.

“We’re well rested, but mentally and physically prepared because when they league finished we didn’t stop playing, so we’re well prepared,” he reiterated.

Cavalier will look to Locksley Thompson, Donovan Alvaranga, Fabian Swaby, Richard Hoo and David Laylor for a positive result.

Meanwhile, the other match will pit a youthful Meadows side against an experienced Benfica outfit that could surprise many.

The St Ann team, which is hoping to become the first club to represent the parish since Black Stars in 1992, has a number of seasoned Premier League players in their ranks.

These include Village’s Lacon Brissett and Ian McAnuff; Brian Wollastan of Waterhouse and St Georges, and former Reno captain Everton Palmer.

Coach Rohan Alexander said his team is balanced and he believes they can be the dark horse team in the series.

“We just have to go out and take each game step by step… Meadows is a very good team, we won’t underestimate them, so we’ll play quality football and see if we can get the win, or even a point on the road,” he said.

After Rivoli’s DPL demise at the weekend, the Spanish Town community could come out in support of Meadows to ensure they have top-flight representation next season.

The young Meadows team under coach Christopher Russell came straight from the parish league to capture the Super League competition.

And they are looking to emulate another Spanish Town team, Arlington, who progressed to the DPL in their debut Super League season.

Playing at home, Meadows had a victory to kick-start their campaign and will pin their hopes on the likes of Orville Newell, Julian Francis, Kenroy Whyte and Dayne Planter.