JOINT leaders Reno FC and Meadows FC will look to go furhter ahead in the Digicel Premier League (DPL) play-offs standings when play away against Benfica and Cavalier, respectively, this afternoon.

Benfica will host Reno at Drax Hall, while Cavalier take on Meadows at Tony Spaulding Complex both at 3:30 pm.

After scoring indentical 2-0 wins last Wednesday, the two could improve their chances of qualification with another three points today.

However, neither Benfica nor Cavalier can afford to lose, as that would all but eliminate them from the race.

At Drax Hall, Reno will look to consolidate their position, according to coach Wendell Downswell, and getting three points away from home would be crucial to their aspirations.

“Our intention is to get maximum points… but the Benfica team is very good based on their form throughout the season.

“Despite the fact that they lost the first game, we cannot take them lightly because they will be coming charged and ready to gain a victory at home,” he said.

However, the former national technical director said tactically, they are prepared for anything their opponents may have to throw at them.

“We’re aware of them and we’ll make our plans accordingly to work in an efficient manner to get he desired result,” Downswell added.

His counterpart Rohan Alexander said his team failed to turn up for Wednesday’s game, but said they’re well aware of the importance of this match.

“The players are focused now and are ready to explode, because this is a must win,” he said.

“… We have to go out and get an early goal and push them on the backfoot and as long as we can get the early goal, we can get the advantage…,” he argued.

Meanwhile, Meadows are confident of upstaging Cavalier, and technical director Leroy Thompson said the team is aiming for nothing less than three points.

“We know they will come at us, so we’re going to have to counter them effectively,” he said.

“But the advantage that we have going into this game… is that this is not Cavalier’s home. It’s none of us home, so both of us are on nuetral ground, so the game is wide open,” he added.

And Thompson knows all too well that a win for them would put them in a good postion after just two matches.

“Six points ahead would put us in a good stead as it would be hard to see Cavalier getting back after this loss,” he declared.

Meanwhile, Cavalier’s captain and assistant coach David Laylor said a number of factors contributed to their defeat on Wednesday. However, he says the team has put that behind them and are looking ahead.