Audley Boyd, Assistant Editor - Sport

ARNETT Gardens and Waterhouse clash in a mid-table Digicel Premier League showdown at 5 p.m. in the Jungle today that is just as important as their traditional battles for the title.

Though far-fetched, victory for either team at Arnett's Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex would enhance whatever little aspirations they may have to grab the crown, but realistically, they are involved in a head-on chase for a top six spot.

Significantly, a place among the top grouping at the end of this third round eliminates all chances of relegation. Only teams in the bottom six can be relegated, when the championship race ends with an abbreviated fourth round where only teams in each of the two groups will play against each other.

Waterhouse and St Georges are currently locked-up at 34 points in fifth and sixth places, respectively - only separated by goal difference - while Arnett are two points back.

St Georges, in their second season at this level, are hosting Tivoli in what is lining up to be a series of very tough encounters for the Portland team.

That is the Premier League and long-time rivals Waterhouse and Arnett understand what that's all about, having played out some sizzling duels through the years.

Both are coming off a loss, Arnett going down 2-0 to leaders and defending champions Portmore United last Sunday, when Water-house suffered a similar defeat at the hands of Rivoli United, when they were without their big three - Kevin Lamey, Jermaine Anderson and Irvino English.

Good results

The losses were a blemish to both teams, which had been trending upwards while displaying the best recent form. Waterhouse had won three of their previous encounters, drawing the other with front-running Harbour View, while the Junglists had registered four wins and two draws in their previous matches.

Both teams have had good results after recent changes - coach Paul Young coming to Waterhouse and Arnett were bolstered by players who came in through the January transfer window.

Ultimately, the changes have brought better conversion rates, and in the case of Waterhouse, much improved defending, as that had been their major downfall because Lamey and Anderson have been scoring well.

Arnett's Kevin Wilson has also remained consistent with scoring all season and, along with the Waterhouse duo, will most likely to make the difference in the outcome of their big clash. Waterhouse lead the series 1-0 following a first round win by a similar margin in the Jungle, and their two-goal tie at Drewsland. It's that close.

St Georges, who are not used to losing at Lynch Park, their home field in Buff Bay, tasted defeat last Sunday. Harbour View became the second team to breach that fortress as they extended their new-found dominance over the Portlanders with a 2-0 margin.

Third-place Tivoli, trying to nibble away at the leaders who have 47 points, should provide another stern test for Geoffrey Maxwell's wounded lads, whose form has dipped badly.

Winless streak

Last Sunday's defeat was St Georges' third in a winless streak stretching five matches, which coincides with their fall and current predicament of battling to avoid playing among the relegation group.

Relegation, in itself, is virtually impossible for St Georges, almost as unthinkable as their chances of winning the championship, even though there are many matches to come.

Barely a win and a bit off the leaders, such a proposition is very real for Tivoli. However, their goalless finishes home and away with St Georges mirror the complexity of their match-ups and chances of winning, as much as the fact that they haven't been too consistent either with two victories. They have had two draws and two losses in their past six matches.

But Tivoli remain a capable bunch and could just use that added momentum from their away win at Reno last week to prevail in another tough clash.

TODAY's GAMES

St Georges vs Tivoli Gardens at Lynch Park at 3:30 p.m.

Reno FC vs Boys' Town at Frome Sports Complex at 3:30 p.m.

Meadhaven vs Harbour View at Constant Spring at 3:30 p.m.

Rivoli United vs Sporting Central Academy at Spanish Town Prison Oval at 4 p.m.

Arnett Gardens vs Waterhouse at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex at 5 p.m.

Village United vs Portmore United at Elliston Wakeland Community Centre at 3:30 p.m.