Cavalier seek third straight win in clash against Portmore
Defending champions Cavalier will seek to continue their climb up the points table in the Jamaica Premier League when they take on Portmore United in the second game of a double header at Stadium East on Sunday.
After a sluggish start, Cavalier have won their last two games to get into the play-off positions and will take on a Portmore team that have played out back-to-back 0-0 draws in their last two outings.
In the first game of the double, leaders Montego Bay United will also be seeking a third straight win when they take on Molynes United; Racing United will seek to break a three-game winless run when they host promoted Spanish Town Police FC at Ferdie Neita Park; Waterhouse FC are away to the other promoted team, Treasure Beach FC in Santa Cruz while Chapelton Maroons will hope to be able to maintain their place in the top six when they play away to Mt Pleasant FA at Drax Hall.
Portmore failed to beat Cavalier in five meetings last season, including the play-offs, and their position in the top six could be at stake Sunday if they cant get the better of the champions.
Christopher Ainsworth has taken on the mantle of the top scorer for Cavalier with the departure of several players from last season’s winning squad, including Jalmaro Calvin, Dwayne Atkinson and Kaile Auvray.
Ainsworth has scored four times so far, tied for the lead with Montego Bay’s Dwight Merrick but Portmore’s defence has been solid so far, allowing only three goals from their seven games played.
Montego Bay have outscored Molynes 13-0 over their last four meetings, dating back to the 2023-24 season and with 11 points and 11 places separating the teams going into the game, the leaders are expected to extend their dominance.
Molynes United are one of two teams yet to win a game but have drawn their last three, coming from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against last placed Spanish Town Police last week.
Montego Bay United, who are on 16 points, four more than second placed Racing United, will present a much different level than Spanish Town Police however and head coach Xavier Gilbert could use the opportunity to rotate his squad and the likes of reserve goalkeeper Jaheim Williams, striker Brian Brown who is returning from an injury, central defender Renaldo Wellington in the place of Trinidad and Tobago international Josiah Trimmingham, could start.
Molynes would be encouraged by their second half performance last week with Nigerian Wisdom Ubani coming off the bench to score two goals last weekend and will hope they can build on this momentum.
After winning their first three games, Racing United have since then matched that with three straight 0-0 draws but get a good chance to return to winning ways when they host Spanish Town Police on Sunday.
Spanish Town Police are rock bottom in the points tables but have been taking consolation wins over their last few games, scoring their first goal, getting their first point and leading at half time last weekend before running out of steam.
After beating Arnett Gardens on Monday, Treasure Beach FC will be hoping to score back-to-back wins when they welcome Waterhouse FC to the St Elizabeth Technical Sports Complex.
Only two points separate fourth placed Waterhouse FC from eighth place Treasure Beach, both unbeaten over their last two games this season, and will be be confident going into the game.
Waterhouse FC have won both games against Treasure Beach, scoring four goals in both games in the 2023-24 season.
At Drax Hall, a sputtering Mt Pleasant FA will be going for full points against the visiting Chapelton Maroons who are winless in their last four games after starting the season with three straight wins.
Mt Pleasant are mired in 11th place after four games played, winning just once, but will start favourites against a Chapelton Maroons team that has only one goal in their last four games after scoring seven in their torrid start.
Harbour View, who are unbeaten in their last three games, picking up seven of their eight points earned so far, are away at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex to Tivoli Gardens FC who are on six points and in 12th position.
Tivoli Gardens, who were play-off qualifiers in the last two seasons, have won just one game played so far and are winless in their last four.
Arnett Gardens, who had their winning run snapped at three straight last week, will hope to rebound when they play away to 10th place Dunbeholden FC.
Games on Sunday
Tivoli Gardens vs Harbour View FC- Edward Seaga Sports Complex- 3:00pm
Dunbeholden FC vs Arnett Gardens FC- Dunbeholden Sports Complex 3:00pm
Racing United vs Spanish Town Police- Ferdie Neita Park- 3:00pm
Treasure Beach FC vs Waterhouse FC- STETHS 3:00pm
Mt Pleasant FA vs Chapelton Maroons- Drax Hall 3:00pm
Molynes United vs Montego Bay United- Stadium East 3:00pm
Cavalier SC vs Portmore United- Stadium East 5:30pm