With leaders Arnett Gardens not in action until Monday, second-placed Portmore United will be hoping to reduce their four-point gap when they tackle Montego Bay United in the marquee match-up of the five Red Stripe Premier League games on today, at the Spanish Town Prison Oval at 3:00 pm.

In the other games set for that time: Boys’ Town host Waterhouse at Barbican Complex; Cavalier SC travel to Reno FC at Frome; Tivoli Gardens welcome Sandals South Coast to the Edward Seaga Sports Complex, and the University of the West Indies tackle Harbour View at the UWI Bowl.

On Monday, champions Arnett Gardens play Humble Lion at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex at 8:35 pm.

Portmore United are sitting on 22 points, four adrift Arnett Gardens, and they know the importance of what a win would do, while Montego Bay United are in seventh spot on 15 points and aiming to climb into the top six.

Both teams played to a 0-0 draw in the first round and another close encounter is in store, but the advantage must go to Portmore United who seem to be in a better frame of mind and are playing some good, attacking football. Both Jermie Lynch and Ricardo Morris are their top scorers with five goals each, and they will once again lead the charge along with Ewan Grandison, Jovan East, Maalique Foster, Domono Solomon, Andre Dyce, Henrico Ricketts and goalkeeper Shaven Sean-Paul.

Montego Bay United are, unusually, sitting way off the pace and out of a play-off spot at the moment, but with most of their players back in the team they are expected to move up the ladder. However, with Dino Williams still on the injury list, the likes of Dwayne Ambusely, Orlando McBayne, Winston Wilkinson, Ladale Richie, Nicholas Amponsah, Keniel Kirlew, Donovan Carey, Lesly St Fleur and Johan Weatherly will have to step up and deliver the goods.

Meanwhile, former champions Harbour View will try to end their four-game losing streak when they travel to the UWI. Harbour View are in eighth spot with 13 points, while UWI are third on 19 points and hoping to stay in touch with the leaders. The struggling Harbour View have won just three games this season and one of them was over UWI so they will be looking for a repeat, but it won’t be that easy. It should be a close encounter nevertheless.

At the Edward Seaga Sports Complex, home team Tivoli Gardens welcome the promoted Sandals South Coast FC. Tivoli Gardens are fourth on 19 points while Sandals are 11th with nine points. Their first-round encounter on October 29 ended 0-0, but both teams have improved since then, so the stage is set for another good game. But the advantage, however, must be with home team Tivoli Gardens to secure three points.

The exciting Cavalier SC will be looking to leapfrog Reno FC when both teams clash at Frome. Reno FC are fifth on 19 points, while Cavalier are just behind in sixth with 17 points. Cavalier boast a 1-0 win in the first round and their confidence must be up, what with the arrival of Dinthill Technical schoolboy star and Reggae Boy invitee Kaheem Parris for their line-up. Parris and fellow national players Alex Marshall and Chevonne Marsh plus Nicholas Hamilton will prove more than a handful for Reno. But the Westmorelanders have their own lethal weapon in the from of the deadly Craig Foster and they too welcome STETHS schoolboy star Demar James in their line-up, so the stage is set for a good contest.

Following their first win under new coach Donovan Duckie, Waterhouse FC will take on struggling Boys’ Town at Barbican Complex. Waterhouse are hovering just above the relegation zone in 10th spot on 12 points, while Boys’ Town have found themselves at the bottom of the 12-team league on seven points. Both teams played to a 1-1 draw in the first round and with both teams struggling, every point will be crucial, especially for the Red Brigades who have won just once in 12 games. Expect Waterhouse to continue to improve and pour on more misery on Boys’ Town.

In the Monday night match at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex, champions and leaders Arnett Gardens on 26 points tackle Humble Lion in ninth spot on 13 points. Arnett Gardens, the only unbeaten team in the league, have a four-point lead and will be looking to maintain that advantage. Whenever these teams meet, there are always fireworks and Monday’s game should be no different. But the form in which Arnett Gardens are playing right now, they must have the edge and are expected to emerge victorious.