Garden party in the 'Jungle' - Arnett versus Tivoli at Anthony Spaulding Complex

Ryon Jones, Sunday Gleaner Writer

Front-runners Tivoli Gardens will seek to maintain their lead atop the standings when they travel to the Anthony Spaulding Complex to engage neighbours Arnett Gardens in the 32nd round of the Digicel Premier League. The match, which promises to be an intriguing encounter, is set to commence at 6 p.m.

Tivoli sit on 59 points, seven more than second-place Boys' Town (52) and, while they are seeking to continue their march towards the title, their opponents are aiming to secure sixth spot to guarantee themselves top-flight football next season. Arnett currently occupy seventh in the 12-team table, with 39 points, the same as sixth-place Reno, but the Westmoreland-based team have a superior goal difference.

The teams have met on two previous occasions in the league this season, with Tivoli taking four out of the six points on offer, as they came away 1-0 winners in the first encounter, while the second ended in a one-all stalemate.

Alvin Shaw, coach of Tivoli, though confident, is expecting a very competitive game.

"Based upon the work we have been putting in, we are confident going into the game against Arnett come Sunday," Shaw said.

"We are going there expecting a very competitive game as usual and we are going to work real hard and, hopefully, come away with three points," he added.

Navion Boyd will be missing from Tivoli's line-up after picking up a red card in the Harbour View game, but Shaw is confident his other players can step up and do the job.

High on confidence

"Presently, we can draw for just about anyone from within the squad and put them out there, based upon how everyone is playing," he said.

Despite the results of the previous meetings with their opponents, Arnett should be high on confidence, having upset Portmore United 1-0 in their most recent league outing, courtesy of a 27th-minute strike from Javoni Simms. The 'Junglist' will be hard pressed to get a favourable result against Tivoli, who are unbeaten in their last nine league outings.

Notwithstanding, Arnett Garden's coach, Paul 'Tegat' Davis, has his sights set on garnering maximum points.

"We have home crowd advantage, and we need to get three points to stay afloat; that is our objective right now," Davis said.

With their diminutive forward Ricardo 'Mandela' Stern injured, Davis is looking to his remaining forwards to produce the goods.

TODAY'S GAMES

Boys' Town vs Portmore at Collie Smith Drive - 3:30 p.m.

Sporting Central Academy vs Reno at Brancourt - 3:30 p.m.

Village United vs Humble Lion at Elliston Wakeland Centre - 3:30 p.m.

Arnett Gardens vs Tivoli Gardens at Anthony Spaulding Complex - 6 p.m.

Waterhouse vs St Georges at Drewsland Stadium - 6 p.m.

Harbour View vs Benfica at Harbour View Mini-Stadium - 6:30 p.m.