IT’S not very often in leagues around the world that two promoted teams are prominent in the hunt to win the title.

But both Portmore United and the University of the West Indies (UWI FC) are looking to establish that record in the Red Stripe Premier League.

Having won the league five times — in 1993, 2003, 2005, 2008 and 2012 — Portmore United are expected to always challenge for it despite the ignominy of relegation.

However, the same cannot be said of UWI, who are playing in their first Red Stripe Premier League and in many people’s books were heavy favourites to be among the relegated few.

But Coach Marcel Gayle and his outfit have surprised everyone and are eyeing a play-off spot and eventually the title.

“Yes, anything from here on is a plus for me. We are just taking it one day at a time,” said Gayle when quizzed about the possibilities.

UWI are currently in sixth spot on 30 points, the same as Harbour View, but more importantly, just two points behind Humble Lion, the team holding the last play-off spot.

“There is no secret here. We start from 12th, move to 11th, ninth, now we are at sixth. We can’t control what’s in front of us, but we can control what we do going forward,” said Gayle.

UWI are unbeaten in their last four games and have won eight times, drew six and lost eight to be 11 points above the relegation zone.

But Coach Gayle is not yet comfortable and made it abundantly clear that his team will not be sitting on their laurels.

“Not as long as there is a mathematical chance, we will always be concerned,” said Gayle, who also coached at Waterhouse and is Neville Bell’s assistant at St George’s College.

UWI have brought in national player Kaemmar Daley in the January transfer, and he will join a more than useful group of players in top-scorer Girvon Brown (seven goals), Anthony Greenland, Kemar Cummings, Kemar Flemmings, Deno Schaffe, Patrick Brown, Amal Knight, Dravian Williams, Jamie Robinson, Roshane Smith, Stephen Lowe and Ramoun Reid.

UWI have shown that they belong in top-flight football, registering victories over Tivoli Gardens twice, Portmore United, Waterhouse, Rivoli United, Cavalier and Reno.

The will try to add Harbour View to that growing list today, and Coach Ludlow Bernard said he expects a good game.

“We played them (UWI) twice and we have yet to garner three points from them. So we expect it to be a humdinger. They are a good unit and we have watched them progress and improve over time. They are coming with nothing to lose,” said Bernard.