Coaches expect epic Tivoli-Cavalier clash today

TIVOLI GARDENS coach Jerome Waite is hoping to keep pace with the leaders of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL), however, he is expecting a difficult afternoon when they take on Cavalier at the Anthony Spaulding Complex today at 3 p.m.

The West Kingston standard-bearers are third in the JPL standings with 17 points, one behind second-place Arnett Gardens and two adrift of leaders Mount Pleasant.

Waite’s team are now unbeaten in their last four matches with two wins and two draws, and although Cavalier have not hit their stride, Waite expects a tough challenge.

“At all times you want to ensure that your team stay with the front-runners, and it is a good time to ensure that we continue to do well in this game.

“It will be a tough game. Cavalier have done well in the Concacaf Caribbean Championship. They have been doing well. So it is surprising that they are struggling in some of the local games,” he said.

Nevertheless, Waite is well aware of his opponents’ quality and will not be taking them for granted.

“It will be a tough game. Cavalier is a good unit. They have defeated the (previously unbeaten) defending champions (Mount Pleasant) despite their hiccup in the last game. It’s a good unit and you cannot underestimate them,” he declared.

Ground to make up

Despite not getting the results they expect thus far, Cavalier have only lost twice this season, and their defeat to Portmore last weekend was their first in six matches.

Still, Cavalier sit outside the top six in eighth position and have a lot of ground to make up on their opponents, who are five points ahead.

Cavalier coach Rudolph Speid said his team is having a ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ type of season, and he is uncertain which team will turn up on the day.

“We are hot and cold, so I don’t know which Cavalier will turn up. We still have some injuries, and we haven’t gotten back all our players yet.

“But we will give a good account of ourselves – as best as we can. We have dropped out of the playoff spots, and we will have to win to get back in there. But I don’t know which team will turn up,” he insisted.

“The last game we missed two penalties against Portmore, so it’s hard to explain what is happening.”

Like his counterpart, Speid anticipates a very difficult afternoon.

“Tivoli is a team doing really good. They look competent under new coach Jerome Waite, who is always a formidable coach in the Premier League. So it will be a tough one,” he said.

Livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Today’s Games

Portmore vs Lime Hall at Ferdie Neita Park

Vere vs Harbour View at Wembley Centre of Excellence

Treasure Beach vs Mount Pleasant at STETHS

Dunbeholden vs Humble Lion at Ashenheim Stadium

Cavalier vs Tivoli at Anthony Spaulding Complex

*All games begin at 3 p.m.