Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

COILED TIGHTLY in the starting blocks, leaders Portmore United and second-place Tivoli Gardens, will eye a bullet-like start to kick off their title sprint when the fourth and final round of the National Premier League (NPL) kicks off today.

With only five games remaining in the newly-implemented fourth round, the league's top six teams will play against each other with a mere five points separating Portmore (64) from Tivoli (59) and a potential 15 points up for grabs.

Seeking solid start

Portmore will begin the round against Boys' Town, the only other team in the league with a mathematical possibility of clinching the title, at Collie Smith Drive.

Tivoli host sixth-place Sporting Central at the Edward Seaga Stadium. Third on 50 points, the Red Brigade are 14 off the pace and know that a loss today will see them officially eliminated from the competition.

"We are, of course, looking to get off to a solid start, but it is always a really tough game whenever we match up with Boys' Town." said Portmore coach Linval Dixon. "As a unit, Boys' Town have been playing well and there hasn't been anything between us this season, so we are looking forward to the challenge."

The teams are virtually in a deadheat as far as records go this season. After drawing the first two encounters, Boys' Town came away 2-0 winners in the third game, but then lost 2-1 to Portmore the next time the teams met in the COK Champions Cup.

Although Sporting have already secured their place in the league for next season and have no hope of challenging for a title, Tivoli will not be taking the Clarendon team lightly.

'Go to the wire'

"I'm sure they won't be just looking to roll over in this round, so for us the only focus is getting the wins and staying in contention. I have a gut feeling this one will go to the wire," said Tivoli manager Brian Rose.

"We certainly aren't out of it. We are behind by five, but there are a lot more points than that in the round, we just have to maximise our opportunities," Rose said.

Tivoli have been in good form, having thrashed Championship Cup challengers Granville 7-0 over the weekend, but they will be without the services of striker Navion Boyd who is out on cards.

In the day's other top six game, Waterhouse will host Harbour View in the battle of the past two league champions at the Drewsland Stadium. Both sides have already been eliminated from contention.

Precarious position

In the bottom half of the league, things are even more precariously perched in an expected heated battle for top-flight survival.

In fact, a mere six points separate positions seven through 12. All eyes will primarily be focused on Arnett Gardens, the former powerhouse team is flirting with danger in 10th place and will need a convincing fourth round to stay in the NPL.

Arnett will begin their campaign away to last-place Reno at STETHS. August Town, who have been in solid form in recent weeks, will begin their survival bid when they travel to Jarrett Park to face ninth-place Seba.

Eighth-place Village must quickly recover from a disappointing showing in the Knockout Cup on the weekend, as they host seventh-place St. Georges at the Elliston Wakeland Centre.

The Portland team recently severed ties with coach Donovan Duckie, the man at the helm of the team when it gained promotion last season.