CHAMPIONS Tivoli Gardens could effectively be dethroned today if they fail to win against leader Portmore United in their crucial Red Stripe Premier League crunch match at the Edward Seaga Stadium, scheduled for 5:00 pm.

Tivoli Gardens are currently in fourth spot on 42 points and trail leaders Portmore United by 12 points, and if they lose, that gap will be up to 15 points with 10 games remaining.

If they win, they would have reduced the gap to nine points and present themselves a glorious chance of retaining their title, seeing that both teams will meet once again in the fourth and final round.

In three meetings to date, Portmore United have won twice, including the first end-of-round final, with Tivoli winning their first encounter 1-0 at home.

Both teams should welcome back key players from International duties with the Reggae Boyz against New Zealand on Wednesday, two of who scored in Jamaica’s 3-2 win.

Portmore’s Tramaine Stewart scored the second goal while Tivoli’s Navion Boyd netted the third for the Reggae Boyz. Both should lead their respective attacks today.

Portmore will also welcome the return of top defender Adrian Reid who has formed a solid partnership with the hard-tackling Upstan Edwards in the heart of the defence.

It should be another intriguing encounter in what is now a must-win match for Tivoli Gardens, and only time will tell how they cope with the pressure of securing maximum points.

Meanwhile, third-placed Boys’ Town, on 43 points, and sixth-placed Harbour View, on 37, meet in a battle between two former champions fighting for different reasons.

Boys’ Town are trying to stay in touch with the leaders, while Harbour View are fighting to secure a top-six spot after falling 17 points adrift of the leaders.

Harbour View are currently battling with Montego Bay (35), Sporting Central Academy (34) and Arnett Gardens (32), all breathing down their necks for top-six position following the conclusion of the third round.

Montego Bay United, who lost for the first time in 17 games last week, should rebound against the struggling but dangerous Village United.

The St James outfit are in seventh place on 35 points with Trelawny’s Village United rooted at the bottom on 21 points.

The Lenworth Hyde Snr-coached Humble Lion, in fifth spot on 37 points, should secure three valuable points against St Mary team Highgate United, in 10th place with 25 points, at Lynch Park.

The other Clarendon team, Sporting Central Academy, travel to Reno on a two-match winning streak since changing head coach. They are eighth spot on 34 points, while Reno are struggling in 11th place on 24 points and are a dangerous team as they fight to climb out of the relegation zone.

Second-placed Waterhouse FC, on 44 points, play ninth-placed Arnett Gardens, on 32, in the Monday Night match at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex starting at 9:00 pm.