AFTER a three-week break, the cut and thrust of the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) returns today with the tension as rigid as ever for teams seeking entry to the semi-finals and those fighting to avoid the drop.

As the preliminary stage of the RSPL nears the end and with the desire to uphold the integrity of the competition, organisers have arranged simultaneous 3:40 pm starts for the games.

In a direct battle between teams on the brink of advancing to the semi-finals, the reigning champions Montego Bay United and visitors Humble Lion FC take centre stage at WesPow Park in St James.

Montego Bay, who recently parted ways with head coach Carlos Garcia, are third with 52 points from 31 games and need only a point to confirm their spot in the last four.

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 the last remaining match day of the preliminary stage, to book a spot.

After competing in the first round of the Caribbean Club Championship — the reason for the three-week lay-off in local top-flight action — and winning all three games, Montego Bay should be on a high.

Humble Lion, who are fourth with 49 points, could pull alongside Montego Bay with a win, but if they lose or draw, they could find themselves in serious danger of being reeled in by Harbour View FC (46 points).

But for fifth-placed Harbour View to have a chance do so, they will have to get the better of fellow contenders and big-time rivals Tivoli Gardens, who are sixth with 44 points. The two will square off at the Harbour View Stadium.

In a match-up between the two struggling promoted teams, Barbican FC host former Premier League winners Reno FC. The Barbican team, in last place with 24 points, is already condemned to relegation, while 11th-placed Reno (31 points) need a win to improve their slim chance of survival.

The other team under threat of being demoted is Sporting Central FC, in 10th place with 33 points. They entertain ninth-placed Rivoli United (37 points) at Juici Park in Clarendon.

Also today, second-placed Waterhouse FC (54 points), enduring some strife after failing to show at the Caribbean Football Union Club Championship in Trinidad & Tobago, take on visitors Boys’ Town FC (40 points) at the Drewsland Stadium.

Waterhouse are safely through to the semi-finals and will be looking to fine-tune, while eighth-placed Boys’ Town are playing solely for pride.

Runaway leaders Arnett Gardens FC (63 points), who have already secured the top seed heading into the semis, take on home team Cavalier SC at Stadium East. Though highly improbable, seventh-placed Cavalier (43 points), still have a slim mathematical chance of progressing.

RSPL games today (all start at 3:40 pm)

* Cavalier vs Arnett Gardens @ Stadium East

* Barbican vs Reno @ Barbican Complex

* Harbour View vs Tivoli Gardens @ Harbour View Stadium

* Montego Bay vs Humble Lion @ WesPow Park

* Sporting Central vs Rivoli @ Juici Park

* Waterhouse vs Boys’ Town @ Drewsland Stadium