ALL TO PLAY FOR - Ignominy of the drop, glory of the play-offs

The intrigue and suspense of the closing stages of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) regular season comes down to today's final day, with a number of teams still fighting to avoid relegation and to secure the final places in the play-offs.

Cavalier, Racing United, and Arnett Gardens are still looking to secure the final two play-off spots, while Molynes United and Harbour View are looking to avoid joining Spanish Town Police as the relegated teams this season.

In the most intriguing of the day's match-ups, Cavalier entertain Harbour View at Stadium East, both with different motivations.

Cavalier are fifth in the table with 58 points, one more than Racing in the sixth and final play-off place, while Arnett lurk in seventh with 55 points.

Cavalier need just one point from their game to secure their play-off spot, but assistant coach David Laylor noted that they have nothing but three points in mind.

"A draw will be good enough, but the mind cannot be playing for a draw. We don't want them in a mindset to be casual and don't play the game properly.

"For us, this is a must-win game. We are treating it no other way. We will not look at stats and say this might get us through or that might get us through. That is the mindset of the club right now.

"This is a must-win situation. This is not a game we want to lose. It must be a point or a win and the players are prepared, knowing what is at stake," he said.

Harbour View  need three points to give themselves the best chance of survival, and Laylor says this makes them extremely dangerous.

"This might be one of the hardest games we play for the whole season. When you have cornered a lion, even though they are going down, they will be fighting.

"I expect a serious match. They have a really good attacking team, but the weakest part of their team is the defensive unit. So we are looking to see how we can really capitalise on that and get something out of the game."

Harbour View, one of the traditional standard-bearers in the domestic top-flight, sit second from bottom.

Harbour View have 39 points, the same as their rivals Molynes, but the latter hold a superior goal difference and just need to match Harbour View's result on the day to secure their top-flight status next season.

After beating Molynes on Sunday to keep themselves in the fight, coach Lenworth Hyde anticipates a difficult match, but insists they have to come and give their best.

"They had to step up (Sunday) or our season would be over. So we live to fight another day. We have another tough game on Wednesday and we have to deal with it to the best of our ability.

"We have a hard-running Cavalier, who are youthful and exuberant. So we have to be prepared," he said.

"I know the quality we have. The heart and determination, and on any given day, with that mentality and desire, they will perform well."

Although the goal difference is stacked against them, Hyde said the most important thing is to come away with three points.

"We are not looking at the goal difference. It's just the three points. That's what’s important. Only that can save us."

Meanwhile, Molynes travel to STETHS to play Treasure Beach, who secured their place in the league after a win over Montego Bay United on Sunday.

Molynes coach Jermaine Thomas was disappointed to give up three points to Harbour View on Sunday, and believes they will have to go to St Elizabeth and be at their best.

"We are cognisant of what we need to do and we are going to be ready. It's not going to be easy. We never got three points [on Sunday], not even one. So we've got to go again Wednesday.

"It's going to be a tough one. We play away, but football is played in moments of time, and if you are not managing time effectively and don't win your duels, you are going to be in trouble," he commented.

Arnett Gardens, who still have hopes of unseating Cavalier or Racing, travel to Turners Oval to face Chapelton.

Arnett (55) must win, and hope for a Racing draw or a Cavalier loss, to surpass either in the table.

However, a draw for Cavalier and a win for Racing would seal the top six teams for the play-offs.

At Drax Hall, new league leaders Mount Pleasant will face off against second-placed MoBay, the top-of-the-table clash. Both teams are on 71 points.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com 

Today's Games 

Chapelton vs Arnett at Turners Oval

Spanish Town Police vs Racing at Royal Lakes Sports Complex

Waterhouse vs Dunbeholden at Drewsland 

Cavalier vs Harbour View at Stadium East

Mount Pleasant vs MoBay at Drax Hall

Portmore vs Tivoli at Ferdi Neita Park

Treasure Beach vs Molynes at STETHS