By Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer 
Shelton
FOLLOWING JAMAICA'S midweek exit from the World Cup qualifiers, the Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) will begin to have even more meaning for local football fans - there will not be much else to look to.
As it was last week, leaders Harbour View will once again take the spotlight in this week's eighth set of matches. After rebounding from their first loss of the season with a 4-2 win over Village of Trelawny last week, Harbour View will this week seek to beat off the challenge of Spanish Town's Rivoli if they are to retain sole possession of the NPL.
At Ferdie Neita Park, second-placed Portmore United host second from bottom Arlington at the Ferdie Neita Sports Complex and should pick up three points.
FULL OF CONFIDENCE
Arnett Gardens, who are in fifth position, host eighth-placed Invaders at the Tony Spaulding Sports Complex. The home team should go into this game full of confidence having slammed the hapless Wadadah, who are rooted at the bottom of the table, 7-0. Though Invaders have shown a lot of fight, they should be no match for Arnett at home.
The Constant Spring/Wadadah matchup at Constant Spring will not be a football fan's delight but Constant Spring could use the opportunity to earn some valuable points to keep themselves away from early relegation troubles.
This season has been one to forget for Village United who have collected just five points from six games. Defending champions Tivoli Gardens have historically travelled well and will not make things any easier for them when they meet at the Elliston Wakeland Centre.
In the match of the day, the inconsistent Rivoli will be hard pressed to get a positive result from Harbour View even though they are the hosts. Harbour View have more than double Rivoli's eight points and are in no mood to ease up.
According to coach Donovan Hayles, his team is intent on maintaining its focus.
"We will try to maintain our level of concentration that has put us at the top of the table and kept us there. We cannot take anything for granted - especially coming close to the end of round of final," Hayles said.
"If we win Sunday the three points would put us in a prime position for the end of round final which would make it very difficult for any two teams to get past us. We may not be 100 per cent there but safer with three rounds of games to go," he continued.
If there were any worries that his team would have gone on a slide following their loss to Portmore, they were allayed following the win over Village United.
Said Hayles: "I am quite comfortable now that the players showed the ability to rebound from a defeat. We came out quite comfortably against a very strong opposition. I think they are showing the level of confidence and determination but we are still a long way off with a two and a quarter rounds remaining."
Rivoli's Bradley Stewart knows what his team will go up against and he is promising "a lot of effort".
"We will play with a lot of effort. The hope is that the effort will result in points," said Stewart.
ONE OF THE BEST
"We know what Harbour View are capable of. They are one of the best teams in the league and the fact that they are leading the league attests to that. This means that we have to put in a capital effort," Stewart added. In addition to effort, Rivoli will need leadership, the kind of leadership they lacked with the departure of Patrick Beech and some of which they got with the return of Garfield Reid.
Reid's status is uncertain for today's game as he could still be suffering the ill-effects of Jamaica's failure.
Like Jamaica, Rivoli appear to have a scoring problem. "We have been creating a lot of chances but like the national team we have not been putting them away. We have been working on our shooting and hopefully it will pay dividends come match time," Stewart said.
Devon Hodges has been trying his best to find the back of the net but it will take more than the likes of Gregory Tape to assist him.
While Rivoli appear light in firepower Harbour View could call on any two of Luton Shelton, Jomo Gordon, Thomas Grant and Nicholas McCreath. That tips the balance even further in Harbour View's favour without mentioning their depth in midfield highlighted by the
presence of Jermaine Hue.
Harbour View are also strong in defence even if they rest Damion Stewart as is expected. Clifton Waugh and young Jermaine Taylor have formed a good partnership and should start while Rivoli could be without their most intimidating defender, the improving Dwight Heron.
TODAY'S GAMES
Waterhouse vs Reno at Waterhouse (3:00 p.m.)
Portmore vs Arlington at Ferdie Neita Park (3:00 p.m.)
Arnett Gardens vs Invaders at Tony Spaulding Sports Complex (3:00 p.m.)
Constant Spring vs Wadadah at Constant Spring (3:00 p.m.)
Village United vs Tivoli Gardens at Elliston Wakeland Centre (3:00 p.m.)
Rivoli vs Harbour View at Rivoli (3:00 p.m.)
STANDINGS
| Teams | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| Harbour View | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 9 | +10 | 18 |
| Portmore | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 5 | +10 | 15 |
| Waterhouse | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 6 | +6 | 14 |
| Tivoli | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 14 | 3 | +12 | 13 |
| Arnett | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 5 | +9 | 13 |
| Reno | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 8 | -2 | 9 |
| Rivoli | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 10 | +1 | 8 |
| Invaders | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 10 | -5 | 6 |
| Village | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 14 | -3 | 5 |
| C. Spring | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 17 | -9 | 5 |
| Arlington | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 15 | -10 | 5 |
| Wadadah | 7 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 24 | -19 | 2 |
