AFTER taking sole leadership on Sunday, leaders Waterhouse will undertake a most difficult task in their effort to stay atop when they face Portmore United in the feature Digicel Premier League game at Ferdie Neita Park today, starting at 6:30 pm.

In other games, Tivoli Gardens entertain Reno at Edward Seaga Sports Complex at 5:00; Sporting Central Academy host Harbour View at Brancourt and Benfica take on Boys’ Town at Drax Hall at 3:30; Arnett Gardens play Humble Lions at the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex starting at 6:00, while St George’s SC host Village in the cellar clash at Lynch Park at 6:30.

With two rounds of games remaining in the first round, only three points separate the top four teams, with Waterhouse leading the pack on 19 points, followed by Tivoli Gardens on 18, Boys’ Town on 17 and Portmore on 16.

But with the two End-of-Round final spots still available, all four teams, along with Reno (14 points), will be keeping their fingers crossed and hoping other results go in their favour.

Portmore slipped from one to three points behind the leaders after their draw with Boys’ Town on Sunday, and their coach Linval Dixon believes they are in for another difficult match.

“We have to keep on going as not getting three points (against Boys’ Town) pushed us back a little. But we have two games to go, so all we have to do is beat Waterhouse and win the other game and hopefully, at the end we’ll be there,” he said.

He said the Baris Johnson-coached side was the form team of the league, but said his young side is up for the challenge

“Waterhouse is having a good run and we know that whenever we play Waterhouse it’s always going to be a tough game. But we’ve been getting ourselves prepared to challenge this team that’s on a high and hopefully, we get the result we want,” he stated.

Waterhouse’s Marcel Gayle said his team was oozing confidence going to Ferdie Neita Park this afternoon and they expect to leave the St Catherine venue with at least a point.

“It’s good that we’re at the top right now and so we’re going to Portmore looking a favourable result. We’re vying for that (End-of-Round final) spot and it would be good if we get the result we’re looking for,” he said.

The team will miss defender Roger Rodney, who is out on red card suspension, but Vincent Earle — the scorer of a hat-trick in the team’s 3-1 win over St George’s on Sunday — is in top form this season and is said to be eargerly awaiting the contest.

“Once Vincent Earle comes out in the right frame of mind he can make things happen and he always gives a good account of himself,” Gayle noted.

Meanwhile, Tivoli Gardens and Boys’ Town will have their work cut out when they play Reno and Benfica, respectively.

Tivoli will start favourites against Reno, but the Westmoreland side cannot be taken lightly, having lost only once in their last five games.

The Westmoreland outfit, however, could have problems containing the West Kingston side’s talented attacking line-up.

Meanwhile, neighbouring rivals Boys’ Town go up against the unpredictable Benfica away from home. After a draw on Sunday, Boys’ Town cannot afford to lose any more points if they intend of make the final and coach Andrew Price is aware of this.

“Our intention is to win all home games and I was really disappointed that we were unable to collect three points (on Sunday). But if we’re habouring thoughts of playing in the End-of-Round Final we have to start collecting three points and we hope to get back to three points on Wednesday (today),” he said.

At the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex, Humble Lion will look to continue their resurgence under coach Lenworth Hyde when they take on the fading Arnett Gardens, who recently lost their coach Wayne Fairclough.

Arnett Gardens have not won in five matches, while their opponents have not lost in their last three. Based on the current situation at both clubs, ninth-placed Arnett Gardens look to be heading south, while their opponents seem to be heading in the opposite direction.

At Lynch Park, cellar-dwellars St George’s take on second-from-bottom Village United in an interesting clash.