After recently assuming pole position in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL), Tivoli Gardens will now be aiming to pull further away from the chasing pack when they welcome the resurgent Humble Lion FC in one of three midweek fixtures today.

Tivoli Gardens, who are currently on 16 points, will host 10th-placed Humble Lion (nine points) at Edward Seaga Sports Complex at 7:00 pm, while the other 7:00 pm contest will see cellar dwellers Harbour View (five points) hosting fourth-placed Cavalier FC (12 points) at the Compound.

The day’s early fixture will see third-placed Mount Pleasant FA (14 points) battling eighth-placed FC Reno (10 points) at the Drax Hall Sports Complex in St Ann.

Tivoli Gardens have been holding fairly good form so far this season and Sunday’s 1-0 win over champions Portmore United, which propelled them to the summit of the standings, should add impetus to their charge going forward.

The West Kingston team, in snapping Portmore United’s four-match unbeaten run, established a three-match streak of their own having won two and drawn one in their last three fixtures.

With a total of five wins already under their belt, the most by a team so far this season, Tivoli Gardens could very well improve that record with the scalp of Humble Lion, who have only recently found their footing.

But victory for the Omar Edwards-coached Tivoli Gardens will be heavily dependent on how efficient the likes of Colorado Murray, Marvin Stewart, Junior McGregor and Howard Morris, among others, are on the day.

However, the Clarendon-based Humble Lion will be coming to Kingston with a high level of confidence laced in their boots and are sure to give a good account of themselves.

The Glendon ‘Admiral’ Bailey-conditioned side initially struggled to get off the mark in the competition, but have now found a new lease on life with back-to-back victories over the much-talked-about Mount Pleasant FA and Harbour View, and a third on the trot would do the trick in getting them closer to the leaders.

In the other late contest, fourth-placed Cavalier FC are heavily favoured to resume winning ways against a Harbour View FC team that is struggling to find their rhythm in the competition.

Cavalier have been unbeaten in their last four fixtures, with the two most recent games against promoted teams Dunbeholden FC and Mount Pleasant FA ending in 1-1 stalemates, and today’s game represent the perfect opportunity for them to extend that run.

Even with the likes of Kaheem Parris, Nicque Daley and Jamoi Topey being absent, the poor form of Harbour is such that Rudolph Speid’s side, to be led by Chevone Marsh, Alex Marshall and Nicholas Hamilton, should prove too much for their opponents.

It should be noted that Cavalier have been the most attacking team so far this season with 13 goals.

The “Stars of the East” Harbour View and their coach Ricardo “Bibi” Gardner will be optimistic that they can topple Cavalier and by extension regain their shine in the RSPL, as they, too, are missing Tyreek Magee to National Under-20 duties.

Meanwhile, the early fixture at Drax Hall should serve up an entertaining treat for spectators as both teams have been holding good form in recent times, particularly FC Reno, who are currently enjoying a three-match unbeaten run.

A victory for FC Reno is well on the cards given the fact that Mount Pleasant’s two defeats so far this season were handed to them in their backyard.

But with the ability of Donovan Duckie well known, one can expect that Mount Pleasant will be coming to shake that omen, as victory would see them provisionally overtaking Portmore United and possibly Tivoli Gardens, should they falter.

Cardel Benbow, Kemar Beckford, Devon Hodges and Evan Taylor among others should ensure that Reno’s backline is kept busy.

Tomorrow’s games will be highlighted by what should by a mouth-watering clash between champions and second-placed Portmore United (14 points) and last year’s beaten finalist Waterhouse, who currently occupy ninth position on nine points.

Sixth-placed Arnett Gardens (11 points) will travel to Prison Oval for battle with 11th-placed Dunbeholden (seven points), while fifth-placed the University of the West Indies (UWI) on 11 points oppose Montego Bay United, currently in seventh position on 10 points.

Today’s schedule

3:00 pm Mount Pleasant FA vs FC Reno @ Drax Hall Sport Complex

7:00 pm Tivoli Gardens FC vs Humble Lion FC @ Edward Seaga Sports Complex

7:00 pm Harbour View FC vs Cavalier FC @ Harbour View Stadium

Tomorrow’s schedule

3:00 pm Dunbeholden FC vs Arnett Gardens FC @ Prison Oval

3:00 pm Montego Bay United vs UWI FC @ Wespow Park

7:00 pm Waterhouse FC vs Portmore United @ Drewsland Stadium