Arnett Gardens FC Head Coach Jerome Waite says he is wary of Cavalier SC as his team looks to maintain pole position in the preliminary stages of the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL).

Arnett, leading the 12-team points table with 43 points from 23 games, visit Stadium East field to take on seventh-placed Cavalier (27 points) in the marquee Monday Night RSPL fixture, beginning 8:40 pm.

“It’s a game that always brings out the best in Cavalier… when they play against Arnett. They are mid-table and they still have a shot of getting into semi-final, so I expect them to come out hard. We are leaders based on goal difference, so we want to stay top,” Waite told the Jamaica Observer.

Arnett lost 0-1 to Cavalier at Stadium East, but beat them 3-0 at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex in earlier meetings this season.

Rudolph Speid, the head coach of Cavalier SC, says his team is positive going into the encounter.

“Arnett and Cavalier have always had interesting encounters. We are always feeling confident playing against Arnett. They are the top team now, but in the last few seasons we have beaten them a few times. Cavalier tends to do well in Monday Night games, and I think [we] are going to continue doing well,” Speid said.

Arnett are virtually assured of a semi-final spot, but according to Speid, Cavalier, who still have a chance of making the top four, are focused on Premier League survival.

“Right now we are not looking at the semi-finals. We are just looking on winning the next two games, so for us it’s more like a game at a time.

“We want to reach 40 points to ensure we avoid relegation, so that’s the first target. If we reach there quickly enough, then we start to think about semi-finals. The good thing is we have an almost a full squad, with players coming back from injury,” Speid explained.

At the end of 33 preliminary matches, the four top teams will advance to the semi-final play-offs. The two sides with fewest number of points will be demoted.

— Sanjay Myers