Tight at the top

WITH ONLY two rounds of games remaining in the Jamaica Premier League, the gates for the top two and the top six are quickly closing, giving added significance to today’s clash between Waterhouse and Arnett Gardens at Drewsland, starting 3:30 p.m.

Third-placed Arnett (70 points) are two points adrift of second-placed MoBay and will be hoping for a win and for MoBay to drop points.

Sixth-placed Waterhouse (55 points), know that anything but three points, could allow Tivoli, who are a point behind, to gain an advantage going into the final round of matches.

Waterhouse stuttered through most of the season with inconsistent results, however, they have won their last three matches to equal their best run this season, and coach Marcel Gayle said they still control their own destiny.

“The last eight games we have played, every game is a final. We are at home to Arnett Gardens, so we have to focus and prepare.

“But we still have our destiny in our own hands and we will take it a game at a time,” he said.

He noted that the season is one of the toughest for all the teams in the league, but believes they are beginning to run into form.

“It has been a roller-coaster ride since the start of the competition. It is not a sprint race, its three rounds of football and its gruelling, it’s hard and tough.

“This is one of the toughest seasons, not only for Waterhouse but all the Premier League teams.

“But we make no excuses. It’s a long season. We have players looking on. Different formation and different dynamics and I think we are getting back to ourselves and getting it right,” he added.

WIN OVER RELEGATED VERE

Arnett, on the other hand, ended a five-match winless run, which included three defeats, with their win over relegated Vere last weekend.

Despite the win, Arnett coach Xavier Gilbert acknowledged that Waterhouse are running into form and expects a difficult match.

Nevertheless, he is hoping to get the result they desire to stay in the hunt for a top two spot.

“It is always a tough encounter, and they (Waterhouse) are in good form. They have been having a good run down the stretch, so its going to be another tough encounter. Hopefully we deal with things and get something from the game.

“Hopefully we are getting everything right heading into the playoffs. We are still eyeing that second spot and we just have to do what we have to do and hope things fall in our favour,” he commented.

Meanwhile, MoBay go into their match against Cavalier at Catherine Hall Complex, knowing that if they drop points their position could be threatened.

However, they will welcome back striker Shaniel Thomas, who missed much of the third round through injury.

Cavalier, who are fourth on 66 points, still have a chance of finishing third and could even go second if both MoBay and Arnett lose their two last games and they can make up the 12-goal difference on MoBay.

Cavalier coach Rudolph Speid wants to finish as high up the table as possible and based on recent form, will be confident of a result.

At the Anthony Spaulding Complex, Tivoli, who are pursuing Waterhouse for the sixth and final playoff spot, will have a kinder fixture than their rivals, as they take on relegation strugglers Chapelton.

Tivoli are unbeaten in their last 10 games and have won their last two. Those results give them confidence against Chapelton (33 points), who have lost their last three games, and sit just outside the relegation zone on goal difference.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

TODAY’S GAMES

Waterhouse vs Arnett at Drewsland

Mt Pleasant vs Molynes at Drax Hall

Dunbeholden vs Portmore at Dunbeholden Sports Complex

MoBay vs Cavalier at Catherine Hall Sports Complex

Chapelton vs Tivoli at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex

Racing vs Humble Lion at Ferdi Neita Park

Harbour View vs Vere at Harbour View Mini-Stadium

*All games begin at 3:30 p.m.