Harbour View looking to stop Arnett momentum in JPL
FRESH from their pulsating 3-2 win over Waterhouse FC on Thursday evening, Arnett Gardens will be going after a fourth-straight win in the Jamaica Premier League when they take on Harbour View in the second game of a double-header today at Harbour View Stadium.
The odds are heavily in favour of second-placed Arnett Gardens, who won the first-round game 2-1, as they are 10 places in the tables above Harbour View and 28 points better off than them.
Fourth-placed Portmore United take on the improving Racing United at Ferdie Neita Park, and defending champions Cavalier FC are away to Molynes United in the first game at Harbour View.
Today, Arnett Gardens can close the gap on leaders Mount Pleasant FA as well as widen the gap on third-placed Montego Bay United with a win over Harbour View, who are just above the relegation zone in 12th place.
Seven of Harbour View’s 20 points have been earned in their last four games and include an upset 2-1 win over Mount Pleasant — their only loss in their last 16 games played.
Harbour View were, however, held 1-1 by fellow relegation-threatened Vere Phoenix United on Wednesday and must lift their game if they are to compete with Arnett Gardens who have scored 13 goals in their last three outings, including back-to-back games during which they scored five goals.
With Warner Brown hitting top-scoring form with six goals in his last four games, the Harbour View defence could be in for a long afternoon.
Racing United have picked up their tempo over the last few months and are unbeaten in their last six games, moving up the tables to the relative safety of seventh place.
Portmore United, meanwhile, have failed to score in three of their last four games, all 0-0 draws, and have scored only 31 goals in their 23 games played — second lowest only to Waterhouse FC in the top six.
The St Catherine neighbours drew 1-1 in their first meeting but Portmore, who will have their eyes on a semi-final spot, will hope the pair of Tedj Bryan and Junior Grizzelle, who have combined for 10 goals so far, can lead them to a win.
Cavalier FC have beaten Molynes United in their last three meetings and the champions, who had to dig deep to get a 1-1 draw against Montego Bay United on Thursday, should get all three points today.
Cavalier have yet to get back to the dominant form they showed on their way to the title last season, and have been doing just enough over the last few rounds to avoid defeats.
Molynes United were hammered 6-2 in midweek by Mount Pleasant and fell to 10th place, just five points above the drop zone.
Waterhouse FC are winless in their last four games, and despite showing some improvements against Arnett Gardens following on a number of players being signed in the transfer window, fell to yet another loss.
Today they face a tricky game against a Dunbeholden team that is undefeated in three matches, including a win over Montego Bay United and a 0-0 draw against Portmore United.
Dunbeholden will be licking their lips at the prospect of avenging their first-round loss to Waterhouse and getting the chance to move further away from the relegation battle.
Chapelton Maroons will also be on a revenge mission when they host Vere at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex, after losing 2-1 in the first round.
Chapelton are on 21 points, three more than Vere who are winless in their last seven games and have conceded a league-high 47 goals.