CAVALIER SC battle Tivoli Gardens FC at the Stadium East field in one of several key clashes in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) competition today.

The match kicks off at 5:00 pm.

Tivoli, lying in fifth position in the 12-team standings, have accumulated 27 points from 20 games. Though not enjoying the best of seasons so far, they are only three points behind Arnett Gardens FC, who hold the pivotal fourth-placed position. A 3-0 blanking of Humble Lion FC over the weekend should also lift the confidence of the Glendon ‘Admiral’ Bailey-coached Tivoli. Cavalier, guided by coach David Laylor, sit in ninth place, but are only two points behind the visitors and can snatch fifth spot if they win and other results go in their favour. They are coming off a disappointing 0-2 loss to Boys’ Town FC in the previous round.

In a 3:00 pm start, Arnett Gardens (30 points) host last-placed August Town FC (20) at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex. While August Town drew 0-0 at home with Montego Bay United in their last outing, Arnett were pummelled 1-4 in their trip to face Sporting Central Academy.

In another game scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm, 10th-placed Boys’ Town, with 24 points from 20 encounters, travel to the Effortville Community Centre in Clarendon to face eighth-placed Humble Lion, who have 25 points, but have played a game more.

At 6:00 pm, 11th-placed Rivoli United (23 points), the designated hosts, meet sixth-placed Sporting Central (26 points) at the Bramwell Clarke Sports Complex in Ewarton, St Catherine. Rivoli’s rare shift away from their regular home turf at the Spanish Town Prison Oval is part of a move by clubs to bring a bit of live RSPL action to fans across the island and to maximise gate receipts.

The remaining pair of RSPL games will be played tomorrow with the highlight being the fixture between first-placed Harbour View FC (37 points) and Montego Bay United, who are in third on 33 points. The kick-off is set for 3:00 pm at the Wespow Park in St James.

In an almost equally enticing clash commencing at 5:00 pm, Waterhouse FC, in second position on 34 points, entertain fellow former national champions Portmore United at the Drewsland Stadium.

Portmore, who have endured a miserable campaign by their high standards, have 25 points from 21 matches and currently hold seventh spot.

The top four teams at the end of the preliminary phase progress to the RSPL semi-finals.

Today’s RSPL matches

3:00 pm — Arnett Gardens vs August Town @ Anthony Spaulding Complex

3:00 pm — Humble Lion vs Boys’ Town @ Effortville Community Centre

5:00 pm — Cavalier SC vs Tivoli Gardens @ Stadium East

6:00 pm — Rivoli United vs Sporting Central @ Bramwell Clarke Sports Complex

Tomorrow’s RSPL matches

3:00 pm — Montego Bay United vs Harbour View @ Wespow Park

5:00 pm — Waterhouse vs Portmore United @ Drewsland