THE 2014/15 Red Stripe Premier League is slated for an exciting climax today in a final pitting Arnett Gardens, the antagonists, trying to wrestle the title away from the protagonists Montego Bay United.

Arnett Gardens, under the stewardship of coach Jerome Waite, are the most attacking team in the competition this year having scored the most goals (60), accumulated the most points (69) and setting a new record, jointly with beaten semi-finalists Humble Lion, for the longest unbeaten streak in Jamaica’s top flight (11 games).

MBU have returned to their winning formula after replacing coach Carlos Garcia of Spain with Dr Dean Weatherly, the dentist with the midas touch, and have been banging in the goals at will.

Both teams will enter the final expecting to continue with the systems that have served them so successfully thus far. MBU, with a classic 4-3-3, and Arnett Gardens, with an ultra attacking 3-4-3. On paper this should make for an intriguing slug fest of attacking football. Given what is at stake it will be a battle of wits with the team best able to impose their will on proceedings at both ends of the pitch coming out victors.

The pros and cons of each formation is as exciting in theory as is the expected action come game time. Theoretically, the layout suggests four defenders for MBU versus three attackers for Arnett; three midfielders for MBU versus four for Arnett; and three defenders of Arnett versus three attackers of MBU. Contextually therefore, Arnett should have the advantage in midfield, whilst advantage goes to MBU in attack and defence. Consequently MBU will walk away winners; easier said than done. Systems do not win football games; it is the execution of tactics by players that will win the game.

The natural layout of both teams shows a high reliance on wing play. This is where the major battles are most likely to be. On paper, the two wide players for Arnett Gardens on either side will start higher up the pitch, one being a winger the other being a midfielder, than MBU’s two, one being a winger, the other being a defender. Offensively, Arnett will be very dangerous in the wide areas. Defensively, however, unless the wide midfielders track back deep, one of the central defenders could be pulled wide to mark, leaving holes in the centre of the defence.

With the major battles set to be played out on the wings the centre of defence will have to be very strong all night for both teams as there will be many crosses to deal with unless there is a high efficiency in blocking out or denying the crosses.

The big question therefore for the coaches will be, do we cut off the supply at the source (wing play) or do we defend the end product (the crosses)?

Whatever the decision, the work of the central midfield three for MBU and the two for Arnett Gardens will have to be very detailed and specific. Do they protect the wide areas or do they defend the crosses to the centre? How they press will also be important. Will the pressing game show the opposing attacker to the lines or in-field? Either way what are the advantages and disadvantages?

Though not in his DNA so to do, I am expecting Jerome Waite’s Arnett Gardens to drop deep in defence, reducing the spaces that MBU’s Allan Ottey, Dino Williams, Owayne Gordon and company like to run into. The wide midfielders will also have to drop deep making a back five and the two wingers will have to converge in midfield to help out. Defensively, therefore, Arnett will have a 5-4-1 set up, which means they will most likely be attacking on the counter.

In such a scenario, the central striker will need to do a very good job holding up play and waiting for support to arrive.

MBU can be expected to start quite similarly to how they did in last year’s finals and this year’s semi-final against Waterhouse. In both those games, the Dr Weatherly-coached MBU started cautiously, taking some time to size up the opponents before asserting themselves on the game. This approach would most likely suit Arnett Gardens with the likes of Marvin Morgan, Renae Lloyd, Vishinul Harris and Andre Clennon being allowed space and time to cause damage. It could also be a dangerous invitation for Arnett Gardens to push forward in numbers and be exposed high up the pitch to the frightening pace of Ottey and Williams in particular.

I expect the game to be an attacking spectacle with MBU starting slight favourites. Qualification for the CONCACAF Champions League group stages and the walloping of Waterhouse should serve to heighten expectations and belief.

Arnett on the other hand will be no pushovers and will undoubtedly be giving the MBU defenders a stern test. The favourites tag is also deserved on the basis of the three previous meetings in the league this season in which Arnett had failed to register a solitary win.

For Arnett to win this match, their defenders will have to perform out of their skins to protect their goal and give the attackers that extra oomph. MBU have been quite solid at both ends of the pitch in the semi-finals in particular. For them the key to victory will be to cause Arnett to play high at the back and dominating those foot races. The capacity of the likes of Woozencraft and McCarty to get into the opposing box onto the ends of crosses will also be key.

Without doubt this game will provide goals. Being able to prevent goals will have to be paramount for either team in this match.