THE Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) kicks into gear this afternoon with five matches, with the main focus in this penultimate round being securing a top-six spot entering the fourth and final round.

In today’s matches, leaders Portmore United entertain Sporting Central at Ferdie Neita Park at 7:00 pm; Tivoli Gardens take on End-of-Round champions MoBay United at Edward Seaga Complex at 5:00 pm; title-chasers Waterhouse host Highgate at Drewsland mini-stadium at 6:00 pm; Village play Arnett Garden at Elletson Wakeland and Boys’ Town face Reno at Collie Smith Complex, both at 3:00 pm.

Portmore lead with 41 points, five ahead of Waterhouse, followed by Tivoli with 35, Humble Lion 33 and Harbour View and Boys’ Town on 32 to round off the top six.

The match of the day will be at Seaga Complex where Tivoli entertain MoBay United.

Tivoli had a horrific second and third rounds, but reversed their fortunes towards the end of the third, winning their last four games on the trot to jump back into third spot, just six points off the pace.

Tivoli will want to continue where they left off in the second round, but face a stern test against the improving MoBay outfit who have been strengthening during the transfer window.

MoBay are 10 points off the lead and one off sixth place, and their Brazilian coach Neidor Dos Santos believes their matches are only going to get harder after their second-round exploits.

He warned, however, that they are also strengthening in the transfer window as they want to improve on their second-round performance and book a top-six spot.

“Tivoli Gardens is a team that will have many new players from the transfer window, so it will be very difficult to play them at their home ground, but we are ready to go there and try our best to get three points,” he said.

Overall leaders Portmore had a disappointing end to their second-round campaign after going down to the team of the round, MoBay, in the bonus final on penalties.

However, coach Calvin Lewis will be hoping his wounded troops can rebound and get off to a winning start, and after beating Sporting Central in both their meetings this season, Lewis expects another three points at the expense of the Clarendon team, especially with their impressive home record.

“We sat down and spoke about the End-of-Round final and we have to recover from that defeat,” he told the Sunday Observer.

During the first round, Sporting Central were one of the teams to beat; however, they have slowly fallen from grace and are now struggling in ninth spot — just six points above the relegation zone.

But if they intend to begin their climb up the table, a positive result will be crucial to kick-start the round, although getting a result against the league leaders may prove rather difficult.

Meanwhile, of the top three sides, Waterhouse will have the easiest task of getting three points, although Highgate can not be under-estimate.

The St Mary club has been going through some torrid times recently, but have shown that they can score the odd victory if taken lightly.

But the league newcomers have lost their last three games and turning their fortunes around against the home team, who have not lost in three games, will be difficult.

At Collie Smith Complex, Boys’ Town will be hoping to revamp their stuttering campaign against the struggling Reno. But although Reno are finding points difficult to obtain, they are no pushovers and will push their opponents all the way.

Arnett Gardens will travel to Elletson Wakeland as favourites against hosts Village. The ‘Junglist’ have been the most inconsistent of the teams this season and will have to be more consistent to avoid another relegation battle.

Village have scored the rare win here and there, but unless they can make a dramatic turnaround, like they did last season, relegation looks imminent.

The Trelawny team has lost 15 of thier 22 matches to date, with just four wins, so they will need to starting adding to their tally if they intend to stave off relegation and preserve their Premier League status.