Three-team race for two JPL play-off spots

DEFENDING champions Cavalier and Racing United will hope they can complete the play-off picture in the Jamaica Premier League with wins today as the regular season winds down.

Both teams are hoping to join the four that have already secured their places and remain ahead of Arnett Gardens and Chapelton Maroons, the latter with only mathematical chances of booking a spot.

Racing are in a cataclysmic collapse, winless in their last nine games, losing their last three, and sitting on 56 points — one more than Cavalier (55), while Arnett Gardens are just outside the top six with 52 points.

Racing will host qualifiers Portmore at Ferdie Neita Sports Complex, while Cavalier are away to Tivoli Gardens who are just honouring fixtures as they cannot qualify for the play-offs and have already avoided relegation.

The relegation race is tight, with Treasure Beach, Molynes United and Harbour View separated by four points as they try to avoid joining Spanish Town Police who have been relegated.

Meanwhile, leaders Montego Bay will move closer to winning the regular season with a win over Treasure Beach, and Mount Pleasant need only a point away to Dunbeholden to secure a top two finish and an automatic semi-final spot.

Racing just missed the play-offs last season and appeared set to make amends a month ago but have imploded, slipping from the top three to fifth and are now in danger of missing out again.

Portmore are coming off a loss to Arnett Gardens and, after drawing both games against Racing this season, could be targeting a win that would deal another major blow to the Anthony Patrick-coached team.

Cavalier beat Racing in their crucial game last week to stay in the play-off race, and will face a Tivoli Gardens team going through the motions. Tivoli Gardens have lost their last three games, including the completion of their interrupted fixture against Treasure Beach on Thursday which ended 4-2, after being called off at 2-1 on April 1.

Cavalier have, however, failed to win consecutive games since mid-March, and Tivoli Gardens, playing at home, could spring a surprise after winning the most recent meeting between the teams.

Arnett Gardens will keep the pressure on Racing and Cavalier, poised to grab a spot if they beat Spanish Town Police and either rival slips. Arnett Gardens have won three of their last four games and will also be seeking revenge after losing to Spanish Town Police in the second round, having won the first-round meeting 10-2.

Chapelton Maroons will hope to beat Waterhouse for the first time this season and keep their slim hopes alive while Waterhouse enter on a two-game losing streak. Chapelton have won two of their last five games.

The Molynes vs Harbour View clash could decide who joins Spanish Town Police in relegation. Molynes have won their last four, while Harbour View are coming off a 4-3 win over Montego Bay. The last three meetings between Molynes and Harbour View have ended in draws but Molynes are on a roll, scoring 16 goals in their last four outings.

Treasure Beach have never beaten Montego Bay but will hope to extend their winning run at Jarrett Park.

SUNDAY’S GAMES

Waterhouse vs Chapelton @ Waterhouse Stadium

Arnett Gardens vs Spanish Town Police @ Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex

Dunbeholden vs Mount Pleasant @ Dunbeholden Sports Complex

Racing vs Portmore @ Ferdie Neita Sports Complex

Montego Bay vs Treasure Beach @ Jarrett Park

Tivoli Gardens vs Cavalier @ Edward Seaga Sports Complex

Molynes vs Harbour View @ Constant Spring Sports Complex

(All games scheduled to start at 3:30 pm)