The fascinating fight for semi-final places and the desperate scrap to avoid relegation will highlight today’s matches in the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) football competition.

With the preliminary stage of the RSPL nearing an end and the desire to maintain the integrity of the competition, organisers have arranged simultaneous 3:30 pm starts for all games.

Titleholders Montego Bay United, who are in third place with 52 points from 30 matches, need only a draw against visiting team Cavalier SC at WesPow Park to secure a place in the semi-finals.

Even if they lose today, Montego Bay can progress if other results are in their favour. Furthermore, if results go against them, the St James-based outfit has another two match days after this one to book a spot.

Seventh-placed Cavalier, who are on 40 points, have a mathematical chance, but progression for them is highly unlikely, given that Humble Lion FC, who currently hold the fourth and final semi-final spot, are six points ahead of the Kingston & St Andrew Football Association team.

In an expected humdinger, fifth-placed Tivoli Gardens FC (44 points) welcome table-topping Arnett Gardens FC (60 points) to the Edward Seaga Sports Complex in an ageless rivalry, which pits West Kingston’s finest against the giants from South St Andrew.

Arnett Gardens confirmed their last-four spot a few weeks ago, but former national champions Tivoli Gardens, hot on the heels of Humble Lion, have it all to play for.

In another encounter that will be closely scrutinised, Humble Lion FC host cellar team Barbican FC at the Effortville Community Centre in Clarendon.

Both teams are on opposite sides of the spectrum.

Humble Lion, on 46 points, will inch closer to securing their progression if they win. Barbican, playing in the top-tier national football competition for the first time, sit in last place on 24 points and are doomed to be one of the two teams relegated.

At the Spanish Town Prison Oval in St Catherine, former winners Harbour View FC take on hosts Rivoli United. Harbour View, in sixth place on 43 points, are still eyeing that top-four spot, while eighth-placed Rivoli (37 points) will be looking to finish the campaign as high as possible in the 12-team standing.

At the Frome Sports Complex in Westmoreland, already qualified Waterhouse FC will battle home team Reno FC.

Waterhouse are second with 54 points, while 11th-placed Reno (28) are locked in relegation mire. Reno are five points behind 10th-placed Sporting Central FC and need to beat Waterhouse to lift hopes of remaining in the RSPL for the new campaign.

Visitors Sporting Central (33 points) can however boost their chances of survival if they get the better of ninth-placed Boys’ Town FC (37) at the Collie Smith Sports Complex.

RSPL games today (all games start at 3:30 pm)

Montego Bay vs Cavalier @ WesPow Park

Tivoli Gardens vs Arnett Gardens @ Edward Seaga Complex

Humble Lion vs Barbican @ Effortville Community Centre

Rivoli vs Harbour View @ Prison Oval

Reno vs Waterhouse @ Frome Complex

Boys’ Town vs Sporting Central @ Collie Smith Complex