Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer

AFTER PLAYING second fiddle to the likes of defending champions Water-house and Harbour View, title aspirants and former champions Portmore United and Arnett Gardens will get an opportunity to renew an old rivalry when they take centre stage in today's round of the Wray and Nephew National Premier League.

Both teams may be a little way off from the leaders, but on their day can upstage any of them - if not on the field, then certainly in the passion that they are able to stoke up in their fans and even casual sport followers by the brand of football they play and the competitive edge they bring.

For Portmore's coach, Paul Young, this clash is the equivalent to one of the top games in the English Premier League.

"As far as the league is concerned, it will be like a match-up of Manchester United and Arsenal," said Young, who is expecting a typically competitive game.

A tough game

"It will be a tough game. They are playing at home and they normally play better there. With that said, it is still a game that we can win. We just need to capitalise on the chances that we are bound to create," he said.

With the likes of Onandi Lowe, Kevin Deerr, Roen Nelson and Wolry Wolfe in contention for places in the Portmore line-up, there is no question that they are capable of creating and scoring goals. With a similarly competitive backline and Jamaica goalkeeper Shawn Sawyers to count on defensively, there is also no question that Portmore will be a formidable opposition. What will be in question is the mood they turn up in as while their talent is without question, their performances are not always up to par. Coach Young is of the view they will be right on the ball for this game.

"We are on a nice run right now and we intend to keep it going," he said.

So far this season Arnett Gardens have played as if they are just a step below the top four in the competition. At the outset, they relied primarily on the goalscoring of national hopeful Leon Strickland and former Jamaica Under-17 representative Marcelino Blackburn along with Kevin Wilson, on the occasions that he played, to get them their goals. Of late, others such as Kwame Richardson have been chipping in.

If Strickland returns to the fold following a stand off with the club, shows his commitment and can get the supply from the midfield, they could put on a good show. As in any football league, there are teams which others would rather die than lose to. That is the way Portmore United and Arnett Gardens see each other.

On paper, Portmore United, despite playing away, should be given the edge but the pride and home advantage of Arnett Gardens cannot be discounted.

In other games, Reno, who are yet to lose at home, will play at Frome for the first time in a while when they host August Town. Having played away from home for financial reasons and due to the poor playing surface, a good turnout is expected to see Reno's return.

At Ferdie Neita Park, Naggo Head will continue their quest for their first win of the season when they go up against the fighting Village United of Trelawny while Tivoli Gardens should get the better of Wadadah at the Edward Seaga Stadium.

Boys' Town return to Collie Smith Drive after serving a two-match ban and would want to mark their return with a win. With Harbour View being their opponents, it will take a lot more than they have shown throughout the season to make it a reality.

In another key encounter, Catherine Hall will host its first Wray and Nephew NPL match when home team Seba United, who are hovering just above the relegation zone, host second-placed Waterhouse.

TODAY'S GAMES

Reno vs August Town at Frome - 3:30 p.m.

Arnett Gardens vs Portmore at Tony Spaulding Sports Complex - 4:00 p.m.

Naggo Head vs Village United at Ferdie Neita Park - 3:30 p.m.

Tivoli Gardens vs Wadadah at Edward Seaga Stadium - 3:30 p.m.

Boys' Town vs Harbour View at Collie Smith - 3:30 p.m.

Seba United vs Waterhouse at Catherine Hall - 3:30 p.m.