THERE’S a real sense of expectancy swirling around St James as the Orville Powell project at Montego Bay United seems to be bearing fruits.

Powell, a businessman with a vision, and coach Donovan Duckie, a man on a mission, have propelled the only team from the west to the top of the Red Stripe Premier League and are looking really ominous.

After eight rounds, Duckie has led them to five wins, two defeats and a draw and on top with 16 points and a two-point cushion.

That advantage could be increased or lost when they host fourth-placed Cavalier on 13 points, setting the stage for an epic battle at the new Wespow Park.

Montego Bay are coming off an impressive 3-0 win over Waterhouse and confidence are high in the camp.

Strikers Dino Williams and Allan Ottey, along with Leslie St Fleur, form a formidable attacking force and will ask a lot of questions of Cavalier’s backline.

But it is no surprise why the David Lalor-coached Cavalier are in fourth spot, having played some consistent football, hence, Montego Bay will have to be at their best.

Meanwhile, champions Harbour View’s surge to the top continues with them hosting Humble Lion at the Compound starting 6:30 pm.

The ‘Stars of the East’ are fifth on 11 points and will be hunting to take down second-placed Humble

Lion on 14 points as they climb towards the top.

An unusual bottom-of-thetable clash will pit former champions Arnett Gardens in 11th spot with six points against Portmore United in five points in 12th spot.

Both teams are struggling to kick-start their season and will be aiming for a crucial win.

At the Spanish Town Prison Oval, the fading Waterhouse FC in eighth spot with 10 points travel to sixth-placed Rivoli United on 11 points, hoping to return to winning ways.

The struggling Sporting Central Academy in 10th place with seven points and August Town in seventh on 10 points should be engaged in a real tussle at the Juici Patties Park starting at 3:00 pm.

Tomorrow, third-placed Tivoli Gardens (on 13 points) host a Boys’ Town unit, down in ninth on nine points, in a 7:00 pm encounter.