MBU look to continue drift from relegation hell
Former champions Montego Bay United will be looking to continue their climb to safety when they take on Arnett Gardens at WesPow Park, starting at 3:30 pm.
In other games at 3:30 pm, Dunbeholden host Reno, Mount Pleasant tackle Cavalier, while at 7:00 pm Harbour View host Humble Lion and Tivoli Gardens play Portmore United.
Montego Bay, on the back of two consecutive wins, climbed off the bottom of the table to be in 11th spot on 27 points. They are four points above bottom-placed team Reno and just one point behind 10th-placed Harbour View on 28 points. A win for Montego Bay would seriously enhance their chances of survival, hence they will be throwing everything at Arnett Gardens.
The “Junglists” on the other hand are in sixth spot on 41 points and can move a step closer to securing a play-off spot following back-to-back defeats. They remain a quality team and could put Montego Bay to the sword.
Dino Williams, with three goals to his credit along with nine-goal Deshane Beckford, Orlando MaBayne, Lesly St Fleur and Dwayne Ambusley, will be leading the survival fight for Montego Bay United.
The inconsistent Arnett Gardens have won 11 games this season but have also lost 10 times, which is an indication of what their season has been like. They are five points above seventh-placed Tivoli Gardens in that race for the final play-off spot, and they know the importance of a win that could move them a step closer.
Meanwhile, in a crucial relegation battle, cellar team Reno on 23 points travel to Royal Lakes Complex to play ninth-place Dunbeholden on 29 points in a mammoth encounter. Reno look set to be relegated after going winless in nine games, losing six times. But if they are to survive the drop, this is a game they must win.
The promoted Dunbeholden have fought hard, mananged to climb out of the relegation zone, and will be aiming to move further away and into safety. Both teams have shared victories this season, with Reno winning 2-1 on November 4 while Dunbeholden turned the tables 3-0 on December 9.
Former champions Harbour View, on 28 points in 10th spot, are in sticky a situation sitting just above the relegation, and they must snap their eight-game winless streak against a Humble Lion team equally struggling in eighth spot on 31 points.
Champions Portmore United on 59 points travel to Edward Seaga Sports Complex to face Tivoli Gardens in seventh spot on 36 points who still harbour thoughts of making the play-offs.
Portmore United have lost just four games from 29 matches and Tivoli Gardens are one of the few teams to have beaten Portmore United. However, the Shavar Thomas-coached Portmore are well-oiled are and fine-tuning for the play-off, and will not be easily beaten at this stage. They are hunting their sixth-consecutive win and should get it at the expense of a faltering Tivoli Gardens unit.
The Donovan Duckie-coached Mount Pleasant are also hunting their sixth-consecutive win. They are up to third on 50 points and they host a Cavalier team in fourth spot on 49 points who seem to have lost their momentum. But it will be a very interesting encounter, which Mount Pleasant are expected to win.
On Monday, second-place Waterhouse FC on 54 points host The University of the West Indies in fifth on 42 points. Waterhouse are still in the hunt for the million-dollar prize as preliminary round champion. They are hunting their fifth win in their last six games but must be careful of a UWI team looking to consolidate their play-off spot.