THE lead in the points tables of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) could be at stake today with the top four teams playing against each other in the five fixtures scheduled.

Leaders Montego Bay United (MBU) are away to fourth-placed Chapelton Maroons at Turners Oval while second-placed Racing United and third-placed Portmore United will square off in a St Catherine derby at Ferdie Neita Sports Complex, with both games set to kick off at 3:00 pm.

Also today, defending champions Cavalier SC will be seeking back-to-back wins for the first time this season and a chance to get into the top six when they play away at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex against struggling Tivoli Gardens. Last season’s finalists Mount Pleasant will return to local football after a two-week break when they play Waterhouse in the second game of a double-header at Drewsland, after Spanish Town Police (STP) and Molynes United meet in the opening game.

The match day on Monday features a double-header at Drewsland, with Harbour View taking on Dunbeholden in the first game followed by Arnett Gardens against Treasure Beach.

Both Racing and Chapelton — who were promoted last season and avoided relegation — started the season on fire, winning their first three games each, but have since cooled off considerably, failing to score in their last five games combined.

Today they will go up against two teams who are off to good starts, and both are expected to be put to the test.

Chapelton have picked up one point from their last three games and will be without starting goalkeeper Prince-Daniel Smith who was sent off late in their 3-0 loss to Waterhouse on Monday.

MBU are coming off a 4-0 win over STP which saw three players getting their first goals of the season but they will be relying on Jourdaine Fletcher, Dwight Merrick and Jahmari Clarke to lead them.

Racing are still unbeaten but have played out 0-0 scorelines in their last two games after scoring 11 times in their first three outings. They must rediscover their form in front of goal today if they are to rescue the situation.

The chances of a goalless draw cannot be ruled out, given both teams are coming off 0-0 draws last weekend and the teams, at least on paper, have the best defences — combining for only seven goals conceded so far.

Giovanni Cunningham, Javaughn Cole, Nickyle Ellis and Tajay Grant have each scored twice for Racing while no Portmore player has managed more than one goal so far.

With only the JPL to focus on, Cavalier will hope they can start a run of wins. And after beating Treasure Beach in their previous game they will set their sights on Tivoli who have gotten off to a slow start, winning just one of their six games played so far.

Cavalier’s defence of the Concacaf Caribbean Cup ended on Wednesday when they were beaten by Barbadian club Weymouth Wales, and the champions will be hoping to at least get into the top six after today’s games.

So far, they have not been able to get a consistent run of games as they have scored six times but conceded as much, losing two times in the process.

Mount Pleasant, who will represent Jamaica in the Caribbean Cup semi-finals, have won only one of their three games played and will be away to a Waterhouse team coming off a morale-boosting win following their loss of back-to-back games after taking the lead.

Mount Pleasant will hope to bring their Caribbean Cup form to the JPL, winning four games without conceding a goal.

Today’s games:

Portmore United vs Racing United – Ferdie Neita Park @ 3:00 pm

Tivoli Gardens vs Cavaliers FC – Edward Seaga Sports Complex @ 3:00 pm

Chapelton Maroons FC vs Montego Bay United – Turners Oval @3:00 pm

Spanish Town Police FC vs Molynes United FC – Waterhouse Stadium @ 3:00 pm

Waterhouse FC vs Mount Pleasant – Waterhouse Stadium @ 5:30 pm