LEADERS Tivoli Gardens and Portmore United clash in a top-of-the table National Premier League (NPL) match as the first mid-week set of games for the season gets underway.

In the other games, Boys’ Town host Harbour View; Waterhouse travel to Arnett Gardens; Montego Bay United play Village United; Sporting Central tackle Reno FC and Humble Lion take on Highgate.

Both Tivoli and Portmore, unbeaten this season, surged to the top on Sunday with 11 points, and sole leadership will be the order of the day; hence, an intriguing battle is in store at the Edward Seaga Stadium.

Tivoli Gardens, on more than one occasion, have shown true championship mettle by battling from the brink of defeat against both Montego Bay and Waterhouse to secure a point. They also played with 10 men and defeated Harbour View in a courageous display.

The champions have been strengthened by the return to match fitness of the lethal Devon Hodges to partner leading goalscorer Mitchily Waul and the ever-dangerous Navion Boyd.

Marcelino Blackburn has been in tremendous form, and along with the tireless Shawn McKoy, Jameel Thompson and ball-winner Raymond Williamson, Tivoli are gelling into a formidable force.

But Tivoli’s trump card would well be a former Portmore United player in the wily Mario Swaby, who can turn any game on his day.

But the young and aggressive Portmore United aggregation will not be pushovers and Tivoli Gardens will have to be at their best to stave off the fit and hard-running outfit.

The diminutive Alanzo Adlam, Andrew Vanzie, Adrian Reid, Ewan Grandison and Eric Vernan will be aiming to make it a difficult day for the champions.

Meanwhile, third-placed Sporting Central, on 10 points, travel to sixth-placed Reno, on seven points, in the catbird’s seat ready to pounce and grab pole position if the leaders draw.

Recent leaders Waterhouse, now down to fourth on 10 points, are also looking to rebound from their 1-2 loss to Boys’ Town, but will find Arnett Gardens eager for their first home win of the season.

The ‘Junglists’ are in 10th spot with four points and were unlucky not to secure three points against Humble Lion after creating the better goalscoring chances.

Waterhouse have serious internal problems, similar to those which caused Baris Johnson to walk away a few seasons ago, and the players are disgruntled.

With that in mind, Arnett Gardens could seize the opportunity and secure their second win of the season.

Fifth-placed Harbour View and eighth-placed Boys’ Town, both on seven points, meet in an interesting match at Collie Smith Drive in a game of old rivals.

Both teams are playing good, attacking football and this will lay the foundation for a competitve game which either team can win.

The promoted Highgate, in ninth spot on six points, will be seeking their second home win of the season against a Humble Lion team just a point above them in seventh.

Cellar teams Montego Bay, on three points, and the pointless Village United, meet in a game neither can afford to lose.

Today’s games:

3:30 pm Boys’ Town FC vs Harbour View FC @ Boys’ Town

KLAS SPORT FM 89 RADIO GAME

3:30 pm Highgate United vs Humble Lion FC @ Lynch Park

NEWSTALK 93FM RADIO GAME

3:30 pm Reno FC vs Sporting Central @ Frome

5:00 pm Tivoli Gardens vs Portmore United @ Seaga Complex

6:00 pm Montego Bay United vs Village United @ Catherine Hall

CNS TV GAME

6:00 pm Arnett Gardens vs Waterhouse FC @ Spaulding Complex