Portmore test for JPL leaders Mount Pleasant
The Jamaica Premier League (JPL) could have new leaders at the end of today’s round of games, as league leaders Mount Pleasant travel to Ferdie Neita Park to face second-place Portmore United in a top-of-the-table clash.
Midway the first round, defending champions Mount Pleasant (28 points) were seven points clear at the summit. However, a dip in form has seen the Theodore Whitmore-coached team win only three of their last seven games, and the St Ann-based club only has a one point lead at the top of the table, over Portmore, Cavalier and Arnett Gardens.
Defeat for Mount Pleasant today would lift Portmore to the top of the standings and oust Mount Pleasant from top spot for the first time this season.
Meanwhile, the Philip Williams-coached Portmore have been showing very good form since the ninth round of matches in the first round.
The St Catherine-based team chalked up five straight wins to close out the first round, and confidence in the camp will be high going into today’s match.
Meanwhile, Cavalier are also in a great position to claim top spot if the game between Portmore and Mount Pleasant ends in a draw and they can beat Harbour View at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex, in a game starting at 4 30 p.m.
Cavalier should fancy themselves getting all three points, with Harbour View still searching to find their feet this season. The have been strengthened by the return of Richard King in defence and Dwayne Atkinson in attack, while Shaniel Thomas and Jalmaro Calvin have been in fairly good form since the start of the season.
Harbour View are ninth in the table with 15 points, 12 points adrift of their opponents but would like to start the round the way they ended it, with a win.
Meanwhile, in another match, fifth-place Tivoli and seventh-place Waterhouse meet at the Drewsland Mini-Stadium.
Tivoli (24 points) will be seeking a win to stay with the front-runners, while victory for home team Waterhouse (19 points) would lift them one place into sixth ahead of Dunbeholden (21 points).
Out west, Montego Bay United will be looking for an uptick in performance and results with return of forwards Owayne Gordon and Jourdaine Fletcher from overseas and the addition of five other players. They play Lime Hall at Wespow Park at 3 p.m.
livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com