TITLE-HOLDERS Montego Bay United will entertain Sporting Central Academy in the rescheduled Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) game at the WesPow Park today, starting at 3:00 pm.

The original fixture was postponed after Clarendon-based Sporting Central encountered transportation issues in reaching the match venue in St James.

Heading into the afternoon’s clash, both teams have 10 points each, but the visitors have an edge due to a superior goal-difference. Ninth-placed Montego Bay, however, have one game in hand on eighth-placed Sporting Central, who have played eight times this season.

Sporting Central’s head coach Nigel Stewart said his team’s approach will be positive.

“We are going there positive and we are going there to get three points, but if we can’t get the three points we hope to leave with one. We are going there with an open frame of mind to impose ourselves on them,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Asked whether Sporting Central have any concerns going up against the champions, Stewart said: “The Premier League has the 12 best teams in Jamaica and we are in it. We respect teams, but we are not afraid of any team.”

He said suspected cases of the mosquito-transmitted chikungunya virus have negatively affected performances so far.

“I think we should be further up in the table, but I think CHIKV put a damper on our momentum and slowed us down,” Stewart explained.

Montego Bay have been a shadow of the team which impressed many in the two-legged semi-final and championship matches last season. They have scored nine goals and conceded on 16 occasions.

Recently acquired Spanish coach Carlos Garcia said his team will have to make the most of the home advantage. Noting the importance of winning the next two games, the coach expressed wariness about the pace in the Sporting Central attacking set-up.

“We are at home and we know what we have to do and we will try to do it. It is important for us to get all three points. Our approach will be like any other game.

“I’ve seen Sporting and I know they have some fast players up front. But we have those games in hand and we want to win those two games and move into fourth spot,” Garcia said.

— Sanjay Myers

Rescheduled RSPL game today

3:00 pm — Montego Bay vs Sporting Central @ WesPow Park