The tantalising contest between former winners Tivoli Gardens FC and reigning champions Montego Bay United at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex highlights today’s matches in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) as the first round nears an end.

The game is scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm.

Montego Bay, who suffered an uneasy start to the campaign, have recovered in strong fashion, racking up four victories in their last five outings.

The St James-based side are fourth with 16 points from nine games, and with a game in hand on the other frontrunners, they could potentially end the first round as high as second place.

Tivoli Gardens, who have failed to win in their last three games, while recording a draw and two losses, are ninth with 12 points.

But Tivoli, though far from hitting top form, have shown glimpses of good football and will be difficult to beat on their home patch.

In another game to start at 3:00 in the afternoon, Reno FC will be at home to Barbican FC at the Frome Sports Complex in Westmoreland.

The two were promoted to the top tier division this season, but Barbican, last in the 12-team standings, have had the tougher ride so far. Playing at the highest level for the first time, Barbican (seven points) have lost five games and won just once in 10 outings.

Reno, the former champions, who have had mixed results against the nation’s best teams, are sixth with 14 points from 10 games.

However, Barbican held the edge when both teams played over two legs in the Confederation Play-offs for the Premier League, winning once and drawing the other.

The 11th-placed Boys’ Town FC, slow out of the blocks for yet another season, entertain third-placed Cavalier SC, also at 3:00 pm. The game will not be played at Boys’ Town usual Collie Smith Drive base, but instead at the nearby Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.

Boys’ Town have eight points, while Cavalier, who have hit a recent slump, losing their last three matches, have 17 points.

Later at the Anthony Spaulding venue, the hosts Arnett Gardens FC take on Humble Lion FC at 6:00 pm.

Arnett are in seventh place with 14 points, while Humble Lion, based in Clarendon, are 10th with eight points.

At 6:30 pm, second-placed Harbour View FC entertain fifth-placed Rivoli United at the Harbour View Stadium.

The ‘Stars of the East’ have 18 points from 10 matches, while Rivoli have 14 points from nine games.

In the Monday Night live televised game tomorrow, Waterhouse FC, already confirmed the top team in the first round, welcome Clarendon-based Sporting Central Academy to the Drewsland Stadium in St Andrew.

Waterhouse have 23 points from 10 matches and have already secured top spot for the first round. Sporting Central, who have been inconsistent so far this campaign, are eighth with 13 points.

Today’s RSPL matches

3:00 pm — Boys’ Town vs Cavalier @ Anthony Spaulding Complex

3:00 pm — Tivoli Gardens vs Montego Bay @ Edward Seaga Complex

3:00 pm — Reno vs Barbican @ Frome Complex

6:00 pm — Arnett Gardens vs Humble Lion @ Anthony Spaulding Complex

6:30 pm — Harbour View vs Rivoli United @ Harbour View Stadium

RSPL match tomorrow

8:30 pm — Waterhouse vs Sporting Central @ Drewsland Stadium

DALEY… Tivoli Gardens ace midfielder