CHAMPIONS Portmore United will look to continue their steady climb up the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) standing at the expense of the in-form Mount Pleasant Football Academy when the teams square off in today’s marquee fixture at Spanish Town Prison Oval.

The contest is one of four scheduled for a 3:00 pm kick-off. Elsewhere, leaders Waterhouse FC (27 points) are set to visit fifth-placed Humble Lion (18 points) at Effortville Community Centre in Clarendon, while third-placed Molynes United (20 points) are to travel to Clarendon for a date with cellar dwellers Vere United (eight points) in the battle of the promoted teams.

In the other early fixture, The University of the West Indies (UWI) FC, in 10th position on 11 points, host eighth-placed Cavalier FC (14 points). Sixth-placed Harbour View (16 points) entertain ninth-placed Dunbeholden FC (14 points) in the day’s late contest at 7:00 pm.

After struggling to find their footing at the top of the season, seventh-placed Portmore United, on 15 points, are gradually hitting top stride, and are now one point away from climbing into a play-off position.

Though it is still early days yet, Ricardo “Bibi” Gardner and his team must be confident of overhauling some of those teams ahead of them.

And with a three-match unbeaten run now under their belt, the champions will be dead set on extending that run with the scalp of Paul “Tegat” Davis’ Mount Pleasant side, which is currently enjoying a six-match unbeaten run. That streak has propelled Mount Pleasant into second position on 22 points.

That said, meetings between these two teams are normally unpredictable as any number can play on the day. One thing is for certain, fans will again be in for a treat as these two attacking teams hunt each others scalp.

With a four-match unbeaten run under their girth, leaders Waterhouse are aiming to extend their lead atop the standing with victory over Humble Lion, who recently had their lengthy unbeaten run snapped up by Mount Pleasant.

The last time Marcel “Fuzzy” Gayle and his Waterhouse unit travelled to Effortville, they were unable to eke out a goal, and with Andrew Price’s Humble Lion enjoying good fortunes at home, things could again end square in this shoot-out between two well-coached teams.

Having recently secured their second win of the campaign at the expense of Molynes United after a 10-match winless run, the Andrew Peart-coached UWI FC would have regained some degree of confidence and will be hunting another win on the trot.

But it will not come easy against Rudolph Speid’s Cavalier, who are seeking to rebound after gradually losing their way from a promising early season start. Molynes United are favoured to return to the winners’ enclosure and break their six-match winless run against struggling Vere United.

Vere United started the season with victory over champions Portmore United, but have been offbeat since then. Though it might be a difficult task, today’s contest could see them registering a long-awaited victory if they are able to capitalise on Molynes United’s poor run of form.

Harbour View, who are coming off two-consecutive losses, could also turn their fortunes around against a Dunbeholden team that has been playing good football, but has failed to get the desired results.

The St Catherine-based side did, however, log an expected win at home against Vere United on last, which would do their confidence a world of good heading into a tougher contest against the ‘Stars of the East’, who will be intent on returning to winning ways.

Tomorrow’s flagship Monday Night contest will be another exciting derby between fourthplaced Arnett Gardens (19 points) and the labouring Tivoli Gardens, in 11th position on nine points.

Based on form, the Alex Thomas-coached Arnett Gardens, who are unbeaten in their last five fixtures, including three wins, are favoured to continue that momentum, especially with home court advantage in their favour.

For their part, under-fire Head Coach Phillip Williams and his Tivoli Gardens team are bound to eventually start putting every foot right or face relegation.

Today’s games

3:00 pm — Humble Lions FC vs Waterhouse FC@ Effortville Community Centre 3:00 pm — Portmore United FC vs Mount Pleasant Football Academy @Prison Oval 3:00 pm — UWI FC vs Cavalier FC @ UWI Bowl, Kingston

3:00 pm — Vere United FC vs Molynes United FC @Wembley Centre of Excellence 7:00 pm — Harbour View FC vs Dunbeholden FC @Harbour View Stadium Tomorrow’s game

8:00 pm — Arnett Gardens FC vs Tivoli Gardens FC @ Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex