Former champions Portmore United could be forced to quickly put a shaky start to the season behind them if they are to repel the challenge of a promising Humble Lions when the teams meet in the Digicel Premier League at 3:30 p.m. at Effortville Community Centre.

Despite taking full points in their first two fixtures, the St Catherine team has been far from convincing, leaving it late before beating promoted August Town 1-0 in their opening fixture, and needing another last-minute goal to come from behind against Arnett Gardens last weekend.

A bright start against title-holders Tivoli Gardens saw promoted Humble Lions only marginally denied a share of the spoils following a 2-3 loss. The team then went on to earn its first points in a tough 0-0 draw away to St Georges, and playing its first game at home this season, could be in prime position for its first home win.

Expectant fans

"We are confident going up against Portmore tomorrow, but we also have to be careful knowing that they are a top team," said Humble Lions coach, Christopher Bender, yesterday.

"We will have a lot of expectant fans here tomorrow looking forward to their first game at this level, but as players we need to concentrate on taking things one game at a time.

"It's not a lot of pressure, the only thing we need to concentrate on is getting better every game that we play," Bender added.

Portmore coach Linval Dixon is quite aware of what a benefit playing at home could be for the Effortville team.

"We know they could be a dangerous team, especially with the fact that they are playing at home, we expect a tough challenge.

"We are trying to get settle and find our footing; it has not been the best start but we are not overly concerned."

He added: "In a competitive league, it is important for us to get a good start and we intend to do that."

Off to a good start are defending champions Tivoli Gardens. The west Kingston team, who currently top the standings, will look to keep its perfect record intact when it hosts August Town at Edward Seaga Sports Complex.

Despite getting two points from their first two games, Boys' Town, who fell just short of legitimately contending for the title for the last couple of seasons, will look to keep pace with the early leaders. However, taking all three points away from the Spanish Town Prison Oval where they face hosts Rivoli could be a tough task.

Home advantage

Also looking for their first win of the season after opening with back-to-back draws, Harbour View will look to make the best of home advantage when they face St Georges.

Arnett and Waterhouse, currently 11th and 12th, will be desperate to recover from wobbly starts. The Junglists, who succumbed to last-minute losses in their first two games, will host Sporting Central Academy at Anthony Spaulding Complex, while Waterhouse will travel to the Elliston Wakeland Centre where they face Village.

Games on in DPL

Tivoli Gardens vs August Town at Edward Seaga Complex at 5 p.m.

Rivoli United vs Boys' Town at Spanish Town Prison Oval at 6 p.m.

Harbour View vs St Georges at Harbour View Mini Stadium at 7 p.m.

Arnett vs Sporting Central at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex at 6 p.m.

Village United vs Waterhouse at Elliston Wakeland Centre at 3:30 p.m.

Humble Lions vs Portmore United at Effortville Centre at 3:30 p.m.

Standings

(Tabulate under Teams, Play, Win, Draw, Lose, Goals For, Goals Against, Second Round Points, Total Points)

Teams	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	TP
Tivoli	2	2	0	0	5	2	3	6
Portmore	2	2	0	0	3	1	2	6
Rivoli	2	1	1	0	2	1	1	4
St Georges	2	1	1	0	1	0	1	4
H View	2	0	2	0	3	3	0	2
Boys' Town	2	0	2	0	2	2	0	2
Sporting	2	0	2	0	1	1	0	2
Village	2	0	2	0	0	0	0	2
H Lions	2	0	1	1	2	3	-1	1
August Twn	2	0	1	1	0	1	-1	1
Arnett	2	0	0	2	1	3	-2	0
W'house	2	0	0	2	1	4	-3	0