With defending champions Central FC set to retain its Digicel T&T Pro League crown, the battle for the all-important runner-up spot to qualify for the 2017/018 Caribbean Football Union Club Championship will resume today with four teams still in the mix, and separated by two points.
Central FC, fresh from retaining its CFU Club Championship crown with a 3-0 win over fellow T&T Pro League W Connection, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Sunday, enjoy a seven point lead with three matches to play, and will have a chance at clinching a second league crown on the trot when it faces North East Stars, at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella on Sunday.
However, second placed Defence Force (45 points), San Juan Jabloteh (45 points), Stars (44 pts) and W Connection, a further point behind are all in contention for the runner-up position.
Today at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Jabloteh will have a chance to make the first step towards clinching the position when it comes up against Club Sando from 6pm, with the latter coming off a 2-0 win against Pt Fortin Civic.
Two hours later, W Connection will be keen to get the memory of the loss to Central FC out the way when it tangles with Defence Force, which will be boosted by a 3-2 triumph over Police FC on Tuesday.
And in the day’s other match, at the Mahaica Oval, Pt Fortin Civic entertains Morvant Caledonia United from 6pm
While Central FC is clear favourite to retain its league title, Stars’ lead the Third Round with maximum 21 points from seven wins from as many matches and near the Kevon Carter (Round Three) trophy under coach Ross Russell and will be keen for some silverware as well.
Standings
Teams P W D L F A Pts
Central FC 24 16 4 4 55 17 52
Defence Force 25 13 6 6 52 22 45
Jabloteh 24 14 3 7 43 33 45
N/East Stars 25 13 5 7 42 44 44
W Connection 24 12 7 5 46 22 43
Police FC 25 11 4 10 56 51 37
Club Sando 25 9 3 13 33 48 30
Pt Fortin Civic 25 5 4 16 23 53 19
Morvant/Caledonia 25 5 3 17 24 56 18
St Ann’s Rangers 24 3 5 16 26 54 14
Fixtures
Today
Round Three Match Day Eight
Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva:
Club Sando vs San Juan Jabloteh—6pm
W Connection vs Defence Force—8pm
Mahaica Oval, Pt Fortin:
Point Fortin Civic vs Morvant Caledonia United—6pm
Sunday
Round Three Match Day Eight
Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella:
Central FC vs North East Stars—4pm
Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar:
St. Ann's Rangers vs Police FC—4pm