Relegation battles take spotlight

Nodley Wright, Gleaner Writer

With Harbour View already crowned the Digicel Premier League champions for the season, the only battles that remain are to avoid relegation and for the minor places.

Of those in the bottom half of the table, Portmore United, who go up against Rivoli United, are the best placed to avoid the drop needing just a point to do so. With 43 points a draw would eliminate the possibility of Sporting Central, the better placed of the two teams in the relegation zone, surpassing them with two sets of games, including today's, to go.

In the three meetings between the teams this season, Rivoli United have fared better winning the second game 2-0 at the Spanish Town Prison Oval. The other two ended 1-1 and 0-0, respectively. Devon Hodges will be a key figure for Rivoli United as not only will he be fighting to keep them up but he would also want to put some distance between himself and the other challengers for his goalscoring title.

Pride and place on the line

A loss for Rivoli would make their final game of the season even more meaningful. In their last meeting, Rivoli were soundly beaten 4-0 at home. Pride as well as place could be on the line next week.

Perhaps the most crucial match of the day is the bottom-of-the-table clash between bottom-placed August Town and Sporting Central who are a point above them on 37. Both are relegation favourites. A win for August Town could improve their points count to 39 and the possibility of ending the season on 42 providing they are able to get the better of Arnett Gardens in their final game of the season. This would guarantee their survival.

A draw between Sporting Central and August Town would mean survival for all the teams above Arnett Gardens even if they do not manage to get a point today. In such a situation, August Town could get a maximum of 39 and Sporting Central a maximum of 40 which would make it impossible to surpass Rivoli (42), Humble Lion (42) and Portmore United 43.

If Arnett Gardens were to lose to or draw with Humble Lion and then lose to August Town, they could find themselves relegated while August Town would survive. Arnett Gardens could still lose to both Humble Lion and August Town and survive even if August Town draw level with them on 39 points. Arnett's saving grace could be their superior goal difference. This of course would only help them if Rivoli beat Sporting Central in the final game of the season.

Since losing the first of their three meetings 0-1 to Arnett Gardens, Humble Lion have managed to end their remaining matches on even terms. Today, avenging their only defeat or taking one point would go a long way in keeping them in the League. A loss to Arnett Gardens could put them in a desperate situation as they face Portmore United away from home in the final game of the season.

With Kevin Wilson and Newton Sterling showing some form offensively for Arnett Gardens, Shawn Sawyers will have to be at his best for Humble Lion while hoping that his forwards keep Julian McLeish in goal for Arnett Gardens busy.

At the top end of the table, Waterhouse would confirm third place with a draw against the already crowned Harbour View while Boys' Town could inflict further pain on defending champions Tivoli Gardens with a win. St Georges look comfortable in fourth position and should be fancied to get the better of Village at Elliston Wakeland Centre but the home team could surprise with a win in their final home game for the season.

Today's games

3:30 p.m: Village United vs St Georges - Elliston Wakeland Centre

3:30 p.m: Boys' Town vs Tivoli Gardens - Boys' Town

3:30 p.m: Sporting Central Academy vs August Town - Brancourt

5 p.m: Portmore United vs Rivoli United - Ferdie Neita Park

6 p.m: Arnett Gardens vs Humble Lion - Anthony Spaulding Complex

6:30 p.m:. Harbour View vs Waterhouse - Harbour View Stadium

Standings

P W D L GF GA GD Pts

Harbour View 36 22 7 7 51 26 25 73

Tivoli 36 18 12 6 54 26 28 66

Waterhouse 36 16 8 12 3734 3 56

St Georges 36 12 14 10 31 29 2 50

Boys' Town 36 11 12 13 28 32 -4 45

Village 36 10 14 12 31 39 -8 44

Portmore 36 10 13 13 23 28 -5 43

Humble Lion 36 9 15 12 32 35 -3 42

Rivoli 36 9 15 12 35 42 -7 42

Arnett 36 8 15 13 31 38 -7 39

Sporting Ctrl 36 7 16 13 28 33 -5 37

August Town 36 9 9 18 28 47 -19 36