PORTMORE United will make a second attempt to secure their place in the play-offs in the Jamaica Premier League when they host Arnett Gardens at Ferdie Neita Park at 3:30 pm today.

Portmore could have booked their spot on Tuesday but were beaten 1-0 by defending champions Cavalier and must wait until at least today if they are to officially cement their spot in the top six.

Three teams have so far secured their places. These are leaders Mount Pleasant, who are on 78 points and could clinch an automatic semi-final spot with a win over Chapelton Maroons on Monday night; Montego Bay United (MBU) (69), and Arnett Gardens (67).

Portmore, who are on 60 points, are one of five teams still in the race for the other three places, with the others being Cavalier, Waterhouse, Racing and Tivoli Gardens.

At the other end of the table, 10 points separate six teams in the race to avoid relegation and with four games left to be played, that race could be even closer than at the top.

Portmore have yet to beat Arnett Gardens so far this season, losing the first game 1-0 then drawing 0-0, and will hope to extend the winless run of the “Junglists” who have not won in their last three outings.

Arnett Gardens’ futile streak includes a 3-1 reversal against relegation-threatened Humble Lion but a win today would see them move back into second place over MBU, who play on Monday.

Cavalier, who are fifth, will be on the hunt for a third-straight win and revenge against Harbour View who edged them 1-0 in their last outing.

Despite winning just once in their last six games, Harbour View, who are just three points above the drop zone, could arguably have more to play for today and are expected to take the fight to Cavalier.

Waterhouse, who are on 49 points — one more than Tivoli Gardens and Racing — will host a dangerous Humble Lion team that has earned 14 of their 32 points over their last 10 games and had a four-game unbeaten run snapped when they were edged 1-0 by Portmore in their last outing.

Both teams have won at home against the other this season, and Waterhouse will hope the trend will hold as they seek to create some space between them and the two teams chasing them.

Tivoli, who are unbeaten in their last nine games, can swap places with Waterhouse with a win over last-placed Vere Phoenix while they hope Waterhouse does not win.

A single point separates the two teams, both having played 35 games already, and with Racing having a game in hand, the odds are that one of them will miss the cut-off.

The other game today will feature relegation-threatened teams Dunbeholden and Molynes, separated by three spots in the table and one point.

They have shared wins in the first two rounds but are winless in their last 17 games combined, but a win today would give that team a respite for at least one round.

Sunday’s games:

Portmore vs Arnett Gardens – Ferdie Neita Park 3:30 pm

Harbour View vs Cavalier – Harbour View Stadium 3:30 pm

Dunbeholden FC vs Molynes United – Dunbeholden Sports Complex 3:30 pm

Vere Phoenix United vs Tivoli Gardens – Wembley Centre of Excellence 3:30 pm

Waterhouse vs Humble Lion – Waterhouse Stadium 6:00 pm