LEADERS Montego Bay United (MBU) could become the first team to secure a play-off spot in the Jamaica Premier League if they beat last-placed Spanish Town Police in their third-round game at Jarrett Park today.

MBU, on 62 points, would be guaranteed a top six finish with a 19th win as the regular season enters its final six rounds.

Also today, third-placed Racing United host fifth-placed Waterhouse FC at Ferdie Neita Sports Complex, in the only matchup between teams currently in the play-off places.

The race for the final play-off spot remains tight, with just two points separating three teams. Defending champions Cavalier, who occupy sixth place on 45 points, face seventh-placed Phoenix Chapelton Maroons at Turners Oval.

Arnett Gardens, also on 43 points but with a superior goal difference to Chapelton, travel to face Dunbeholden who are a further two points behind.

At the bottom of the table, 11th-placed Treasure Beach take on 12th-placed Harbour View as both teams continue their fight against relegation.

MBU have dominated their previous meetings with Spanish Town, winning the first two encounters by a 9-0 aggregate. However, Spanish Town enter the game on the back of consecutive wins, including a 1-0 victory over second-placed Mount Pleasant FA, and will be confident of putting up a challenge.

MBU will be looking to rebound after surrendering a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Portmore United last weekend, a result Head Coach Xavier Gilbert described as feeling “like a loss”. With their lead over Mount Pleasant cut to two points, the hosts will be keen to avoid any further slip-ups.

Malachi Sterling has been MBU’s most consistent scorer in recent weeks but Gilbert will also be looking to Dwight Merrick, Kimani Arbouine and Ricardo Ramsey for support in attack.

Spanish Town are coming off a 4-1 win over Dunbeholden FC — the most goals they have scored in a premier league game — with Jaheim McGregor, who netted a brace, expected to be among the main threats against an MBU defence that has conceded 10 goals in their last five matches.

Racing United will be aiming to avoid a repeat of last season’s late collapse that saw them miss out on the play-offs. They are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Waterhouse but have drawn their last four league games.

Waterhouse have been one of the form teams in the league since the arrival of Argentine Coach Javier Ainstein in late December, winning 10 of their last 14 matches. Veteran striker Colorado Murray has been a consistent goalscoring threat since returning from injury and is expected to lead the line.

Racing United have lost just three games this season — the least in the league — but have been held to a league-high 16 draws. Coach Anthony Patrick will be relying on Tajay Grant and Nickyle Ellis, who have combined for 21 goals, to provide the cutting edge.

Cavalier have struggled for consistency, losing three of their last four games after a four-match winning run. They come into today’s fixture against Chapelton after a 3-1 loss to Mount Pleasant in midweek.

With time running out, Cavalier can ill afford further slip-ups and will be aiming to extend their winning run against Chapelton to five games. Chapelton, however, are unbeaten in their last four matches and, with a top six spot within reach, are expected to provide a stern test.

Neither team has had a consistently prolific scorer this season, with Chapelton’s 28 goals placing them among the lower-scoring teams in the league. However, they did score three goals against MBU at home three weeks ago and will be hoping lightning strikes twice.

Arnett Gardens will be confident heading into their match against Dunbeholden, against whom they are unbeaten in their last eight meetings.

The south St Andrew club know a win could move them into the top six, while anything less could see them fall further behind in the standings.

Dunbeholden, still within touching distance of the play-off spots, must return to winning ways after their loss to Spanish Town ended a three-game winning streak.

Mount Pleasant, who could have been leading the league but for inconsistent results, will look to build on their midweek win over Cavalier when they face Tivoli Gardens. They scored three times in the final 30 minutes in that victory and will be hoping to carry that momentum into today’s game.

At the bottom, every point is crucial, and the clash between Treasure Beach and Harbour View could prove decisive. The teams are separated by just one point, with both desperate to avoid relegation.

Harbour View will be seeking revenge after their dramatic 4-3 loss in January, when they surrendered a 3-0 half-time lead.

Neither team has won in their last three completed matches. Treasure Beach saw their game against Tivoli Gardens called off at half-time due to a waterlogged field, after leading 2-1, and were beaten 4-0 by Arnett Gardens in midweek.

Sunday’s games

Harbour View vs Treasure Beach FC – Harbour View, 3:30 pm

Racing United vs Waterhouse FC – Ferdie Neita Sports Complex, 3:30 pm

Dunbeholden FC vs Arnett Gardens – Dunbeholden Sports Complex, 3:30 pm

Chapelton Maroons vs Cavalier – Turner’s Oval, 3:30 pm

Montego Bay United vs Spanish Town Police – Jarrett Park, 3:30 pm

Molynes United vs Portmore United – Constant Spring Sports Complex, 3:30 pm

Tivoli Gardens vs Mount Pleasant FA – Edward Seaga Sports Complex, 3:30 pm