Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

Portmore United look like a certainty to win the NPL crown this season (left) and Tivoli Gardens seem to have blown their chance to win the title (right).

PORTMORE UNITED would have to lose at least two of their four remaining games for Tivoli Gardens, who must win all their matches, to have any chance of snatching the National Premier League title from the rampant leaders.

Sitting on 67 points atop the table, Portmore could, in fact, lose their next three games and still have a chance to finish ahead of Tivoli with a victory in the fifth and final game of the fourth round.

Tivoli, a distant second on 59 points, need the maximum 12 from their next four games to force an unlikely upset.

However, Portmore have not lost a match in nine games and appear unable to do anything wrong.

Stunned fans

Waterhouse are set to finish in fifth position (left) and Sporting Central will complete their first season in the NPL in the top six (right).

On Wednesday, the league leaders faced third-place Boys' Town, the last team to have beaten them, and completely took the game away from the Red Brigade after 22 minutes, scoring a pair of goals which left home fans wondering what hit them.

The first goal, netted by Michael Binns, came from near the half-line and the second strike, from close to the corner flag, an intended square by Ricardo Cousins, unbelievably beat substitute goalkeeper Philmore Crumbie at his near post.

With lady luck already on Portmore's side, Tivoli did little to help their cause hours later, losing 1-0 at home to Sporting Central, who only got into the top six after coming out in front on head-to-head clashes with St. Georges with whom they had ended the third round level on points.

Whereas Tivoli coach Desmond Francis hopes Portmore would hit the proverbial brick wall, recently saying "anything can happen in football", it will take a mighty blunder for the leaders to weaken, considering they have held the best defensive record since the start of the season.

Grenadian Anthony Modeste is, without a doubt, one of the Caribbean's best central defenders and it's hard to see him allowing the title to slip away with an eight-point lead in the table.

Portmore coach Linval Dixon was on easy street Wednesday after his team took out Boys' Town at Collie Smith Drive. However, he made it clear there would be no letting up until the final whistle is blown this season.

Right track

Boys' Town are keen to hold on to third place in the league (left) and defending champions Harbour View can finish no better than third this season (right).

"Our goal is to win the title and we're on the right track, playing attacking football," he said. A win is always good. We're happy for the three points and will move on from here."

In another language that could be translated "bye-bye, see you next season" but Dixon was being extremely modest.

Tivoli appear a safe bet for second place as Boys' Town are too far behind, third on 50 points to overhaul a team intent on trying their best to reel in Portmore.

However, Harbour View, on 48 points, are within striking distance of nailing Boys' Town for third. With coach Harold Thomas given a chance to prove his worth following the axing of Lenny Hyde, the deposed champions will be taking aim at the Red Brigade.

Fifth-place Waterhouse, on 46 points, need to show improvement if they are to have any chance of finishing higher in the table and must be wary of Sporting Central, sixth on 42, as the men from Clarendon have made it clear they are not in the fourth round as fodder for the higher-placed teams.