FIFTH-placed Arnett Gardens FC are set to challenge reigning champions Portmore United in today’s marquee match of the 27th round of the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) at Ferdie Neita Park in St Catherine.

Kick-off in what is expected to be a humdinger is slated for 7:00 pm.

Portmore, sitting in second place on 45 points, trail leaders Harbour View by 10 points and are under pressure to win if they are to harbour hopes of defending their title.

The Andre Waugh-coached team did just that when they turned back Sporting Central Academy 3-0 in their midweek outing at the Brancourt playing field.

Arnett (40 points), conditioned by former Portmore United head coach Calvin Lewis, did not have the same fortune as they suffered a 0-1 loss to visiting neighbours Boys’ Town at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.

In another match that should produce riveting action, Boys’ Town, lying in third place on 43 points, host Montego Bay United (38 points) at 3:30 pm at the Collie Smith Complex.

In their previous game, the sixth-placed Montego Bay United twice surrendered the lead and had to settle for a 2-2 result with relegation strugglers Highgate United.

At the Edward Seaga Complex, seventh-placed Cavalier SC (35 points) welcome stuttering Sporting Central, in 10th place on 29 points, at 3:30 pm, as teams jostle for places in the top six.

The Cavalier team, which reached the second End-Of-Round Final, went down 0-2 to Waterhouse in midweek and will no doubt be looking to rebound against the Clarendon-based Sporting, who were blanked by Portmore.

However, the coaching staff of both teams should be particularly concerned that their attackers failed to get on the score sheet in those respective fixtures.

At the Drax Hall Sports Complex starting at half past 3:00 o’clock, Harbour View (55 points) are expected to extend their league best wins to 17 matches when they tackle hosts Highgate United (25 points).

In their last outing, Harbour View narrowly got by Humble Lion 1-0, while second-from-bottom Highgate earned a point against Montego Bay.

In another 3:30 pm kick-off, ninth-placed Humble Lion (31 points) entertain eighth-placed Tivoli Gardens FC (32 points) at the Effortville Community Centre in Clarendon.

A bruising battle could be on the cards for that fixture.

The RSPL Monday Night match is scheduled to feature fourth-placed Waterhouse (40 points) and cellar-outfit Savannah SC (17 points) at the Drewsland Mini-Stadium, starting at 9:00.

With Savannah’s record of 17 losses in 26 matches, an easy win for the home team is expected.

— Sanjay Myers

Today’s Schedule

3:30 pm Boys’ Town vs Montego Bay United @ Collie Smith Complex

3:30 pm Cavalier SC vs Sporting Central FC @ Edward Seaga Complex

3:30 pm Highgate United FC vs Harbour View FC @ Drax Hall Sports Complex

3:30 pm Humble Lion FC vs Tivoli Gardens FC @ Effortville Community Centre

7:00 pm Portmore United FC vs Arnett Gardens FC @ Ferdie Neita Park

KLAS Sport FM 89 Radio Game

Monday Night Football

9:00 pm Waterhouse FC vs Savannah SC @ Drewsland Complex

CVM TV Game