FORMER champions Portmore United look set to make a speedy return to Premier League football when they host the University of The West Indies (UWI) in the JFF All-Island Confederation Play-off at Spanish Town Prison Oval today, needing only a point to advance.

In the other play-off game, St Thomas’ York United host Savannah SC at York Complex aiming to keep their slim hopes alive. Both games are scheduled to kick off at 3:30 pm.

Portmore United, who won the premier league title in 2012 but were relegated in 2014, lead the four-team confederation play-offs with 10 points from four games. They are three points ahead of UWI on seven, York United third on four points and Westmoreland’s Savannah out of contention at the bottom with one point.

The Linval Dixon-coached Portmore United, the South Central Confederation champion, need a draw against UWI to make a return to topflight football as 11 points cannot be surpassed by any two teams following this penultimate round.

Both teams battled to a 1-1 draw in their first-round encounter at UWI Bowl, but it was a game that Portmore should have won after they wasted a number of chances.

UWI can also historically qualify for the premier league after starting slowly. If they win or draw against Portmore United, and there is a defeat for York United, UWI could be playing in the nation’s top league.

Both Portmore United and UWI can qualify today, hence the stage is set for an epic battle at the Spanish Town Prison Oval.

Meanwhile, Eastern Confederation champion, York United of St Thomas, are fancied to defeat Savannah United and keep pressure on the top two teams as they, too, hope for a historic premier league qualification.

Only a win is good enough for York today and they should get the three points from a Savannah team that has nothing to play for at this stage and who therefore should be lacking motivation.

— Howard Walker