TUCKER, St James – Defending champions and leaders Montego Bay United (MBU) will hope their recent history against Tivoli Gardens will hold when the two clash in a mouth-watering top of the table game in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) at WesPow Park on Sunday, starting at 3:00 pm.

Both teams have established themselves as the form teams in the competition, combining for an impressive record over the past few months.

MBU, who have lost just once in their last 10 games, lead the points table with 42, three more than Tivoli Gardens, who have lost just one in their last 12 outings.

MBU, however, have had the better of Tivoli Gardens of late, winning their last four meetings without conceding a goal, and have won five of their last seven meetings over the last two seasons.

After resting a number of their regular starters and fielding a team with six players aged 22 years or less in their 2-1 win over Jamalco FC on Sunday, the champions are expected to welcome back a number of senior players this Sunday, including midfielder Dwayne Ambusley, Dino Williams, Donovan Carey and Keniel Kirlew.

Owayne Gordon the MVP last season, who scored 20 goals, has made a good return to the team, while Kashief Brown and Ramone Sibley could all challenge for a place in the starting team. So too can schoolboy sensation Jourdaine Fletcher, who was called up to the national senior team for the first time this week.

Two schoolboy players made their debut on Sunday and one, 18-year-old Michael Heaven, could retain his place in the defence this week alongside national player Ladale Richie, the backbone of the MBU defence.

Tivoli Gardens’ Jermaine Johnson and Elton Thompson have combined for 15 of the team’s 29 goals scored, and are expected to lead the charge against MBU on Sunday.

Tivoli Gardens have won more games away from the Edward Seaga Complex this year than at home, winning seven and drawing one, compared to winning just five at home, drawing two and losing two.

However, MBU boast the best home record, losing just once, and drawing one, with nine wins chalked up, while scoring 16 of their 27 goals scored on their turf.