WITH the top three teams not playing until Monday evening, defending champions Cavalier FC and Portmore United will hope to make inroads on the teams above them in the Jamaica Premier League points table today.

Fresh off an encouraging performance in their Concacaf Champions League Round of 16 tie against MLS team Inter Miami that included superstar Lionel Messi, Cavalier can turn their full attention to the defence of their title.

Fourth-place Portmore and fifth-place Cavalier FC will be seeking clean sweeps over Vere Phoenix United and Dunbeholden FC, respectively, after winning their first two games played this season.

Cavalier are on 45 points — well off the two automatic semi-final spots held by leaders Mount Pleasant FA, on 68 points, and second-place Arnett Gardens (61) — but are not yet comfortable regarding a play-off spot. They will start favourites against Dunbeholden who have lost their last three games by an 8-1 aggregate.

The champions, who have two games in hand, won their two previous games 4-1 and 2-0.

Portmore United are coming off a morale-boosting 1-0 win over Mount Pleasant, and after beating Vere by 2-0 margins in their two previous games this season will hope to make it three in a row.

Vere, who are in 13th position on 22 points — same as 12th-place Chapelton Maroons and one more than Humble Lion — have conceded 57 goals, the most in the competition so far.

Waterhouse and Tivoli Gardens, both former champions, are separated by two points in seventh and eighth places, respectively, and must start winning consistently if they are to make a run at the top six.

The teams shared 1-0 wins in their previous meetings but have been overtaken by Racing United for the final play-off spot.

Relegation-threatened teams Molynes United and Chapelton will meet in the first game at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex, in a match both teams will desperately need to win.

Chapelton, who were promoted to the competition this season — their second time in the league in the last three seasons — have lost their last five games despite a second coaching change this season, and are winless in their last 10.

Molynes are only marginally better, one place above the Clarendon team and five points to the good. They will hope to win back-to-back games against Chapelton after beating them 4-0 the last time both teams met.

Struggling mid-table team Harbour View and last-place Humble Lion will both be seeking their first win against each other, after drawing 1-1 in their two previous games.

Sunday’s games:

Molynes United vs Chapelton Maroons – Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex | 3:30 pm

Humble Lion vs Harbour View – Effortville Community Centre | 3:30 pm

Portmore United vs Vere Phoenix United – Ferdie Neita Park | 3:30 pm

Tivoli Gardens vs Waterhouse FC – Edward Seaga Sports Complex 3:30 pm

Cavalier FC vs Dunbeholden FC – Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex | 5:30 pm