SECOND-PLACED Portmore United versus fourth-placed Harbour View will highlight this weekend’s round of matches in the Digicel Premier League at Ferdie Neita Park this evening at 6:30.

Just three points separate the two and the game could again re-arrange the top order of the standings.

In other games, leaders Tivoli Gardens entertain in-form Village United at Edward Seaga Complex at 5:00.pm; third-placed Boys’ Town travel to Tony Spaulding Complex to face Arnett Gardens in the Collie Smith Drive ‘derby’ at 6:00 pm; Waterhouse seek to rebound against Reno at Drewsland 4:00; Humble Lion host Sporting Central at Effortville in the Clarendon ‘derby’ at 3:30, while St George’s take on Benfica at Lynch Park at 6:30.

After slipping to third the week before, Portmore rebounded with victory over Benfica to regain second spot with 44 points, while Boys’ Town (42 points) dropped to third after their loss to Tivoli, who lead with 47.

Meanwhile, Harbour View (41), who were fifth the previous week rose one place after they won, and Waterhouse (40), who have continuously slipped since the second round, lost last weekend and fell to fifth.

Both teams will be desperately trying to avoid defeat as a loss for Portmore could see them drop to fourth — behind Boys’ Town, if they win, and Harbour View, who would move ahead of them on goal difference.

Defeat for Harbour View, on the other hand, would see them falling back to fifth, while Tivoli could stretch their lead over the champions to nine points with a victory.

Harbour View’s coach Donovan Hayles expects a tight and disciplined game from the former champions. He believes they will have to be on top of their game for this contest.

However, Hayles is eyeing three points and thinks his team’s present form can lead them to victory.

“Once we get three points it can put us in a better position or maintain the position that we are in or close the gap on the leaders,” he pointed out.

“… We want to always be in this position and not slip further behind again because the league is winding down… it’s important for us to always get three points,” he reiterated.

“They way we are playing, we are very dominant in ball possession. If we can capitalise on the chances we create… we’re in a position to take three points,” he added.

His counterpart Linval Dixon says his team is highly motivated for the clash and they are seeking maximum points from the match.

“The last game at our (Ferdie Neita) Park we lost, but we are ready to face the defending champions and hopefully we can give a good account of ourselves and collect three points,” Dixon told the Sunday Observer.

“… For us to stay close to leaders Tivoli we have to win games on a consistent basis, so we intend to get three points from this tough Harbour View team that has improved in the latter stage of the tournament,” he said.

Dixon also believes once they put in a workmanlike performance, they will reap the success required.

Meanwhile, Tivoli will be expected to make it four out of four in the round when they take on Village at home.

However, the Trelawny-based club has not lost in three matches in this round, with their last two being victories, including triumphing over Portmore United, and will therefore be expected to pose problems for the league leaders.

Meanwhile, Boys’ Town will play their second derby match in a few days. The Andrew Price-conditioned outfit lost 1-0 against Tivoli last Wednesday and slipped back to third after spendign a week in second spot.

But Price has serious intentions of contesting for the title this season and will be eager to rebound against their longtime nemesis.

Waterhouse’s mixed results continue this round when they were outscored by a Village side they can’t seem to beat at Elliston Wakeland Centre.

However, the Drewsland-based boys are at their best at home, so Reno could have a difficult evening trying to hold off the first End-of-Round finalists who will be under pressure from their supporters to get a win.

And both teams will be looking to avoid a losing result in the Clarendon ‘derby’.

Sporting (36) are just four ahead of Reno in the crucial sixth place and will be hoping to keep all opposition for that sixth spot at bay.

However, Humble Lion (25) have slipped one place to 10th and are only just out of the relegation zone on goal difference over Benfica.

In the bottom-of-the-table clash, hosts St George’s (21) will hope they can get three points and move within a point of their opponents, while Benfica will see this as a good opportunity to get three points and keep their heads above the drop zone.