Monster clashes litter JPL round

LEAGUE LEADERS Mount Pleasant will look to surpass Arnett Gardens’ 10-match winning run record in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) when they take on seventh-place Tivoli Gardens in the first game of a double-header at the Anthony Spaulding Complex on Sunday at 5 p.m.

In the feature match at 7:30 p.m., third-place Arnett Gardens and sixth-place Cavalier will both seek their first win in three matches.

In another monster clash at Ferdi Neita Park, fourth-place Portmore entertain second-place Montego Bay United, starting at 3 p.m.

In other matches, Vere take on Racing at Drewsland mini-stadium at 3 p.m., Waterhouse play Chapelton at the same venue at 5:30 p.m., and Harbour View host Dunbeholden at Harbour View mini-stadium at 3 p.m.

League leaders Mount Pleasant have been rampaging through the league, and have chalked up 10 successive wins, to equal Arnett Gardens’ record set back in 2015.

In their last two outings, the St Ann club brushed aside Arnett, who were second at that time, relegating them to third after the defeat, and defending champions Cavalier.

Although Tivoli have been travelling well over the last month or so, they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Racing and may find the Mount Pleasant machine too hot to handle.

In the feature match, both Arnett and Cavalier are looking to rebound from a draw and a loss in their last two matches.

Cavalier’s Rudolph Speid said they have put their underwhelming performance against Mount Pleasant behind them and, with four starters who missed the last game returning to the team, he believes they are in for a better showing.

“The last game we went into, Mount Pleasant were better than us. But, if you live in the past too much, you will get depressed. So we have put that behind us.

“The game tomorrow (today) is all we are thinking about. We will be having four of our players that we did not have for the Mount Pleasant match. So that should help,” he said.

HARD TARGET

He pointed out that the standard they have set makes them a target. But he aims to get things in order, as they hope to go on a winning run.

“We really want to get our feet back in the league and I really haven’t gotten it as yet. We have put in some very good performances and should have got three points when we drew. But we are not that bad. We have only lost three games, two in the first round and one in this round.

“But we need to get a run going. Hopefully we can start it tomorrow. Arnett will be Arnett. They are a good attacking team. I expect them to come and play very hard. We just have to try and see how best we can deal with them. But we will be ready.”

His counterpart Xavier Gilbert said, even though Arnett will be at home, most of their opponents seem to have made themselves at home at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex and, against Cavalier, a team they haven’t beaten in two seasons, he anticipates a difficult evening.

“It will be extremely difficult. It has never been easy for us against Cavalier. Then our environment and atmosphere motivates the other teams. When they get the cool evening and a surface like this, they are motivated to play

“That is why, every time we are at home ,it is always tough. No matter who the opposition is, it always poses a challenge for us.

“Plus, we haven’t beaten Cavalier from last season. So it is important to see how best we can get some points off them.”

He added that they will be looking to take advantage of the champions’ not-so-impressive form, but are very wary of what they are capable of.

“Even though they are not firing on all cylinders, they are a team. Once they can get their thing going, they can be dangerous.

“They just need one good moment and it can change everything. We just hope he can come out and give a good showing, because we ourselves need to get back in the win column, and we know we will have to work hard to stop them from playing their usual game.

“But, even if we can’t find a way to win, we must not allow them to win either. We have to bounce back and, in order for us to contend for the title, in circumstances and situations like this, we have to find a way to get the result that we need,” he said.

While Cavalier will be without ace frontman Dwayne Atkinson, Arnett welcome leading striker Warner Brown back from injury.

At Ferdi Neita, Portmore, who have found their form of late and are on a three-match winning run, will face another high-flying team in MoBay and forward Shaniel Thomas, who has been in superb goalscoring form.

At Drewsland, Vere and Racing appear evenly matched. While, in the feature match, Waterhouse, who have lost their last two home matches, will be eager to appease their home fans and will start favourites against Chapelton.

Harbour View, who have picked up one point in seven games, will attempt to stop the haemorrhaging, but Dunbeholden will have the edge to take the points, despite playing away.

Mount Pleasant lead the league on 46 points, followed by MoBay on 40, and Arnett on 38. Portmore and Waterhouse are next with 33, then Cavalier on 32, to round out the top six.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Today’s Games

Tivoli vs Mount Pleasant at Anthony Spaulding (5 p.m.)

Cavalier vs Arnett at Anthony Spaulding (7:30 p.m.)

Portmore vs MoBay at Ferdi Neita Park (3 p.m.)

Harbour View vs Dunbeholden at Compound (3 p.m.)

Vere vs Racing at Drewsland (3 p.m.)

Waterhouse vs Chapelton at Drewsland (5:30 p.m.)