IT is not often that a game involving the league leaders and title-holders Harbour View FC is overshadowed, but whenever traditional rivals Tivoli Gardens FC and Arnett Gardens FC lock horns, most eyes inevitably follow that trail.

The two former national champions clash today in an expected Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) humdinger at the Edward Seaga Complex in West Kingston, starting at 5:00 pm.

Based on form, third-placed Tivoli Gardens, with 18 points after 12 games, have the edge going into the encounter against the visitors, who are in tenth spot on 12.

Arnett, only two points ahead of cellar team Portmore United, have won a mere three games and have lost six times.

Tivoli have only been victorious on four occasions, but they have proved to be a hard team to topple this season, losing only twice.

But form is hardly ever relevant in derby-type matches between teams fairly evenly matched.

And given the stiff rivalry inherent in Tivoli-Arnett clashes, no external input is needed to motivate the players and staff of either outfit.

When they met in October, Tivoli Gardens ran out 5-0 winners in the semi-final of the Flow Champions Cup Knockout competition.

Only a month before — that time in the RSPL — the teams ended in a 2-2 stalemate.

Another interesting feature of this match-up is another meeting of the veteran and championship coaches Jerome Waite (Arnett) and Glendon ‘Admiral’ Bailey (Tivoli).

In the early kick-off today, ninth-placed Boys’ Town FC (13 points) welcome 11th-placed August Town FC (11) to the Collie Smith Complex at 3:00 pm.

At 7:00 pm, the champions Harbour View (26 points) entertain fifth-placed Rivoli United (18) at the Compound.

In the other 7:00 pm kick-off, floundering Portmore United, who have lost six matches already this campaign, to be languishing on 10 points, host second-placed Montego Bay United (22) points.

Two more games are on tomorrow.

At 3:00 pm at the Effortville Community Centre, the eighth-placed visitors Sporting Central Academy FC (14) make the short trip to face seventh-placed Clarendon rivals Humble Lion FC (16).

At the Drewsland Stadium, the hosts Waterhouse FC, in fourth place on 18 points, meet sixth-placed Cavalier SC (17).

RSPL games today

3:00 pm Boys’ Town vs August Town @ Collie Smith Complex

5:00 pm Tivoli Gardens vs Arnett Gardens @ Edward Seaga Complex

7:00 pm Harbour View vs Rivoli United @ Harbour View Stadium

7:00 pm Portmore United vs Montego Bay @ Ferdie Neita Park

RSPL games tomorrow

3:00 pm Humble Lion vs Sporting Central @ Effortville Community Centre

5:00 pm Waterhouse vs Cavalier @ Drewsland Stadium