Big Clashes coming up for

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As the battle for the two promotional spots to the nation's top-flight league remains evenly poised, leaders Cavalier Soccer Club will seek to separate themselves from the pack when they take on Rivoli United in the return-round games of the Magnum/Charley's JB JFF Premier League Playoff at Stadium East today.

Meanwhile, second-placed Sandals South Coast and third-placed Priory SA will square off in the other encounter at the former's Crocs Lawn base in Westmoreland. Both games are scheduled for 3:30 pm.

Cavalier, who are currently atop on five points, will be heading into today's contest confident of keeping their unbeaten record intact, having won once and drawn twice. Rivoli will be aiming to recover from a 0-1 loss to Priory SA on last.

It has been quite the ride for both sides thus far, as the last meeting between the two former Premier League outfits ended in a 1-1 stalemate with the KSAFA champions coming from behind to earn a share of the spoils with the South Central winners.

However, while Cavalier stand out as a vibrant contender to move forward, Rivoli United's chances of booking a ticket to the 2017/18 Red Stripe Premier League season is hanging in the balance and they will be optimistic of once again getting the jump on the opponents and holding it to the end.

Head Coach Rudolph Speid is cognisant that it will, by no means, be an easy task with Rivoli United now aiming to keep their hopes alive, as they are rooted at the foot of the four-team table with one point.

This game is going to be even harder than the first one because Rivoli is wounded. They lost their last game and I think we are really going to have to work hard to get the win because they will be coming hard, Speid told the Jamaica Observer shortly after their 1-1 draw with Sandals South Coast on Sunday.

The St Catherine-based Rivoli are expected to be led by Liston James, Kenny Lee, Own Walters, Davion Alves, Jeremy Nelson, and Don Reid in the hunt for their first win to keep pace with the leaders.

Former St George's College standout Alex Marshall will lead the youthful Cavalier unit from the front, with National Under-17 representative Kaheem Paris, Swayne Thomas, Ryan Miller, Nicholas Hamilton and Oshane Jenkins also expected to play prominent roles throughout the contest.

The other contest between Eastern Confederation champions Priory Soccer Academy from St Ann and the Western Confederation champions Sandals South Coast from Westmoreland is also expected to be a mouth-watering clash.

There is very little to separate the two clubs, who ended goalless when they last met, but with home court advantage and experience in their favour, Sandals South Coast might have the slight edge.

They are in second on five points with a slightly inferior goal difference to Cavalier, with Priory SA, formerly Volvo, hovering closely behind on four points. the results of today's contest could, to some extent, make or break the chances of either team's progression.

Aaron Lawrence, coach of Sandals South Coast, explained the significance of today's results.

We just have to do what we have to do when they come here and win that game. The competition remains open for both teams, so once we do our job and win this game and try getting a point away, then we will be alright, Lawrence told the Observer.

But Priory have proved that they can hold their own on a big stage following their crucial 1-0 win over Rivoli United on last, and they will be brimming with confidence of securing a second consecutive victory.

However, tactics and defensive solidity could prove the difference along with form, and both teams have vast potential but are still yet to display their best football. Fans can expect a tight match, from two clubs that have plenty to lose.

Romaine Bennett, Ron Daley, Junior Neil and Shemar Wright will carry the Sandals South Coast attack, while Dario Stewart, Mario Gordon, Carlos Barrett, Shimar Stewart and Aliem Campbell are expected to be point men in the Priory team.