Boosted by the return of its national players, bmobile Joe Public will go into its Digicel Pro League regular season final day clash with W Connection today, seeking a win to capture the regular season title. The clash between second placed Joe Public and fourth placed W Connection takes place at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, from 5 pm. Going into today’s encounter, two-time defending champion, Clico San Juan Jabloteh heads the 11-team table with 39 points followed by Joe Public on 38 and Caledonia AIA of Morvant/Laventille on 37. W Connection and Ma Pau, are next with 34 points each.
Both Jabloteh and Ma Pau have completed a 20-match schedule after playing to draws with Joe Public and W Connection respectively at Couva on Tuesday - a day when all four clubs were without some of their key players due to national senior and Under-20 teams duties. For today’s clash, Joe Public and W Connection will both be at full strength with the return of the national players, setting the stage for an interesting duel. The “Savonetta Boys” of W Connection are expected to have midfielders Hughtun Hector and Clyde Leon as well as goalkeepers, Jan-Michael Williams, and Marvin Phillip back from T&T team duty. Striker Andre Toussaint is still out injured.
On the other hand, Joe Public coach Derek King will welcome back the national quartet of defender Keyeno Thomas, midfielders Trent Noel and Hayden Tinto and the league’s leading scorer, Kerry Baptiste. Should Joe Public fail to take maximum points from today’s encounter, then third placed club, Caledonia AIA of Morvant/Laventille, which takes on United Petrotrin in its final league match on Monday, will have a chance to claim its first crown.
The “Oilmen”, sixth with 30 points, are expected to provide a stern test for Caledonia, as they are currently in a battle with Defence Force (29 points), which meets Tobago United in its final match for the remaining “Big Six” spot. At the end of Monday’s matches, the top six clubs will contest the “Big Six” competition from which the points earned will be added to the league points to determine the overall league champions. A separate prize will also be on offer to the winners of the “Big Six” competition.
Remaining League Fixtures
Today
W Connection vs Joe Public, Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, 5 pm.
Monday
Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva:
Defence Force vs Tobago Utd, 5 pm.
Caledonia vs Utd Petrotrin, 7pm.
South End vs Rangers, Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, 6 pm.