By Howard Walker

Observer senior reporter

walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com

The clash between Humble Lion and Rivoli United might be seen as a low-keyed game, but in fact, it will be ushering in a new era for the Clarendon team with the appointment of Craig Butler as director of football, while Linval Wilson replaced Geoffrey Maxwell as head coach.

With nine games to complete the third and defining round of the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL), this match will be of paramount interest for both teams.

Humble Lion in eighth spot on 28 points are eyeing at top-four play-off spot, while Rivoli United in 11th-place with 26 points, are trying desperately to climb out of the relegation zone.

But such in the closeness of the mid-table teams that only four points separate bottom-placed August Town on 24 points from eighth-placed Humble Lion with 28 points.

Both teams are struggling to find their best form with Humble Lion winless in their last five games, and the streak is even more worrying for Rivoli United, who have not won in their last eight games, and are seriously flirting with relegation.

Rivoli United are heavily reliant on top striker Devon Hodges, who has netted 11 of his team’s 18 goals, and if he is shut down, then the Spanish Town team will find it extremely difficult to secure a win.

Corey Burke and Davion Garrison, with two goals apiece, are the club’s next two top scorers.

Humble Lion, on the other hand, have more depth and should be able to secure a crucial win, especially playing at home. The likes of Hugh Howell, Roberto Fletcher, Wolry Wolfe and Omando McLeod should prove too strong for Rivoli United.

Meanwhile, leaders Montego Bay United, on 42 points, could take a step closer to securing a top-four spot when they travel to fifth-placed Tivoli Gardens, on 34 points.

Montego Bay are in superb form, losing just once in their last 16 games, and it is no surprise they hold a three-point lead atop of the premier league. If they can beat Tivoli Gardens it would be a tremendous boost to their play-off hopes, while being a minor setback for Tivoli Gardens.

Second-placed and defending champions Harbour View, with 39 points, can go a clear second if they can get the better of a Cavalier outfit in seventh spot on 30 points, and zooming in on a top-four position.

The ‘Stars of the East’ have not won in their last seven matches and with the Caribbean Club Championship beginning on Friday, they need to rekindle that winning formula rather quickly.

But Cavalier are proving that they are no pushovers and being just five points adrift of a play-off spot, will be entering the game in confident mood.

An interesting battle will be the clash between former champions Portmore United, in 10th spot with 26 points, and bottom-placed August Town, on 24 points, at the Ferdie Neita Park.

Portmore are in unfamiliar waters this season, winning just six times from 24 games, and this clash will be seen as one of paramount importance because a loss could easily drop them bottom of the league, while easing August Town off the bottom for the first time in many moons.

At the Collie Smith Drive, home team Boys’ Town cannot afford to lose to Sporting Central Academy, as they are one of three teams just two points above the bottom-placed team.

The ‘Red Brigade’ seem to lack motivation right now, languishing in ninth spot on 26 points, and if coach Andrew Price cannot get them out of their slumber real quickly, they will be dragged into a relegation dogfight.

Sporting Central are eyeing a top-four finish, lying in sixth place with 30 points, and a win will certainly enhance their ambition.

On Monday, second-placed Waterhouse FC with 39 points host fourth-placed Arnett Gardens, on 35 points, in what should be another exciting encounter at Drewsland starting at 8:30 pm.

Today’s games

3:30 pm Boys’ Town FC vs Sporting Central FC @ Collie Smith Complex

KLAS ESPN SPORT FM 89 RADIO GAME

6:30 pm Harbour View FC vs Cavalier SC @ Harbour View Stadium

6:00 pm Humble Lion FC vs Rivoli United FC @ Effortville Community Centre

7:00 pm Portmore United FC vs August Town FC @ Ferdie Neita Park

3:30 pm Tivoli Gardens FC vs Montego Bay United FC @ Edward Seaga Complex