With former champions Reno FC already relegated, all eyes will be on another former champion, Montego Bay United, desperately fighting for survival, as they take on leaders Portmore United in a crucial encounter at Wespow Park at 3:30 pm.

Montego Bay United are sitting in the 11th spot on 30 points and are three points adrift of safety with just one game to follow, after today’s encounter. Of all the relegation battlers, Montego Bay United have the most difficult task as they play the top two teams — Portmore United and Waterhouse FC — fighting for the $1 million bonus as preliminary round champions.

Montego Bay United just cannot afford to lose or even drop points, especially since they are fighting for the entire western Jamaica following the demise of Reno from Westmoreland.

Portmore are on top with 60 points, but with Waterhouse breathing down their necks they too can’t afford to drop points, hence the stage is set for an epic battle.

One of the teams Montego Bay will be hoping to catch is Dunbeholden, sitting in 10th spot on 33 points, as the latter take on a University of West Indies (UWI) team at Royal Lakes with their own set of problems, sitting in sixth spot on 43 points and aiming to secure the last play-off spot.

A win for Dunbeholden would move them a step closer to safety in this their first time in top-flight football. Dunbeholden are playing good football and will not easily be beaten, as the backline have been solid with Shaquille Dyer and Andre Dyce marshalling things. UWI have been inconsistent, and a victory over hungry Dunbeholden playing for survival will not come without a fight.

Former champions Harbour View scored a most crucial win on Thursday and are seemingly in a good position as they play a deflated Reno team. It is there for the taking for Harbour View and they should be able to secure maximum points and move closer to safety. Harbour View are in ninth spot on 34 points, while Reno are at the bottom with 23 points.

Clarendon-based Humble Lion will be looking to secure their Premier League well-being when they host Cavalier at Effortville Community Centre. Humble Lion are in eight spot on 34 points, but they are just four points above the relegation zone and cannot afford to lose, or they could fall into the clutches of the bottom-placed teams. Cavalier seemed to have gone off the boil, but with play-offs looming they should get things back on track quickly.

In form Mount Pleasant’s title credentials will be thoroughly examined by former champions Arnett Gardens when they meet at Drax Hall. The promoted Mount Pleasant, in their very first season in top flight football, have secured their playoff spot sitting in third with 54 points. Arnett Gardens on the other hand are almost there in fifth spot on 45 points, and needing just a point to book their play-off berth.

It’s one last chance for Tivoli Gardens as they must beat Waterhouse FC if they want to sneak into the play-offs. Tivoli Gardens are in seventh spot on 39 points and are four points adrift of the final play-off berth, held by UWI.

While Waterhouse are second with 56 points, they are four adrift of the leaders and still harbouring thoughts of snatching the $1-million prize as preliminary round champion.