RIVOLI United’s hunt for a place in next season’s Digicel Premier League (DPL) could end this afternoon if they lose to leaders Highgate at the Prison Oval as the return game in the play-off series get underway at 4:00 pm.

In the other game, Seba seek their second straight win at home when they take on Cavalier at Jarrett Park at 6:00 pm.

Rivoli, who were one of the favourites to advance to next season’s top flight, have seen their aspirations crumble after two consecutives defeats.

However, the Spanish Town-based boys are aware of their predicament and will be giving their all to come emerge with three points.

Coach Calvert Fitzgerald said they made defensive blunders that have cost them, while at the other end, they are not making the most of their chances.

“We need to improve in both areas in order to get the victory because now we’re in a do-or-die situation, so we have to go for it, but we have had good opportunities to win all three games so far, so if we get this right I think we should win the game,” he said.

He added that apart from giving them a lifeline, three points would provide much-needed confidence entering the final two matches.

Highgate’s coach Calvin Lewis said he will be approaching the desperate Rivoli with caution, with the hope of exploiting any available weaknesses.

“Rivoli is in desperate need of points, so they will be coming very hard, but we need three points as well because we know where that can put us, so we’ll have to… work assiduously… and ensure we come away with a positive result,” he said.

A win for Highgate will put them in a good position to qualify for the premiership.

Meanwhile, Seba United will be hunting their second win against a demoralised Cavalier FC, who went down to Highgate in their previous outing. Coach Omar Clarke says they have nothing else to play for but three points.

“We can’t afford to draw or lose and the fact that we’re playing at home makes it even worse, so it’s a win-win situation for us,” he said.

“… We need the players to go into the game with the right frame of mind, because we’re playing at home against a Cavalier team that just lost at home, so we need to go out and try to sink the Cavalier coffin a little bit deeper,” he added.

However, Cavalier’s assistant coach Garfield Robinson says they know about the Seba team from their first match and will be making some adjustments for that game, and they expect to reap some benefits.

“It is always a difficult place to play at Seba, but with the training that we have put in, we will be ready for them,” he declared.

He said the team was not putting away its chances, and defended verteran central defenders David Laylor and Bernard Blackwood, who are both over 40 years old.

“We’re not finishing as well as we ought to… but (with Laylor and Blackwood) it’s not an age issue; as a matter of fact, those players are doing very well because of their experience,” he said.

The Corporate Area side will miss influential midfielder Horace Sharpe, who was shown the red card in the last round of matches.

With three games to go, Highgate and Seba are tied at the top on five points, with Cavalier a point behind and Rivoli at the bottom with one point.