Buoyed by its 2-0 blanking of reigning Digicel T&T Pro League champions Defence Force, Central FC will look to extend its seven-match unbeaten run with a win over cellar-placed St Ann's Rangers in the first match of a double-header at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva from 6pm this afternoon.
In fact, the Central "Sharks" who are expected to have coach, Englishman Terry Fenwick back on the sidelines after his brief trip back to England for family reasons will be confident and cautious at the same time in their approach against Rangers, which it defeated 3-2 in round one, to kick-start its unbeaten run after a 1-0 loss to Couva rivals, and current table leaders, DirecTV W Connection.
W Connection has the weekend off, but leads the table with 33 points from 14 matches, seven clear of Pt Fortin Civic FC which has played a match more followed by Central FC with 23 points also from 15 matches.
They are followed by North East Stars (22 points), Police (21) and Caledonia, a further point back while Defence Force which played its first match on Tuesday after a one-month period of non-activity due to work commitments is next with 13 points but from only nine matches.
Central's only worry for tonight's match is the fitness of Soca Warriors midfielder, Ataullla Guerra who has been nursing a torn muscle in his right shoulder after a collision with a W Connection player, a few weeks ago.
Jabloteh, meanwhile, is in the midst of an nine-match losing streak inclusive of a 3-2 loss to tonight's opponent, and will be desperate to pick up points, with only three wins in 15 matches.
Despite the loss on its return, Defence Force coach, Ross Russell was already looking ahead to the meeting with San Juan Jabloteh tonight in the second match at Couva.
He said, "We are going to train hard until we get the right form." And having won their first round meeting 2-0 over Jabloteh, Russell and his charges will be fancied to get it absolutely right tonight and get its first win in its second match back.
Last night at Couva, W Connection came up against Caledonia while tomorrow, at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, from 3.30 pm, Stars and Police, separated by a point on the table clash.
Today's Digicel T&T Pro League matches
Venue: Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.
St Ann's Rangers vs Central FC, 6pm
Defence Force vs San Juan Jabloteh, 8 pm
Tomorrow:
Venue: Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, 3,30 pm.
Police vs North East Stars, 3.30 pm
Tuesday:
North East Stars vs Defence Force, Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya, 6 pm