Ryon Jones, Star Writer

Humble Lion could for the first time in their three seasons in the country's top flight secure their future in the league without being embroiled in a regulation scrap, as victory over Boys' Town at Collie Smith Drive in their 3:30 p.m. meeting on Sunday will see the Clarendon-based club guaranteed a top-six finish.

The Lions currently lie fourth in the 12-team standings with 46 points, and triumph over the Red Brigade will see them at least maintain a seven-point lead over the fifth-and-sixth place teams, with two rounds of games remaining.

At the end of the third round the top six teams would have secured their places in the league for next year and hence compete against each other to determine the eventual league champions and see how far up the standings they can finish, while the bottom six teams will engage in battle to avoid demotion.

"It is a good step up from the last two seasons and it goes to show that with improvement and the focus we get from the players, the sky is the limit," Humble Lion's coach Lenworth Hyde Snr said.

"We are not a traditional team, but we are trying our best to play some good football," he added.

Humble Lion currently trail league leaders Portmore United (60) by 14 points, which Hyde concedes will be difficult to overhaul.

"We should have been much closer than we are right now," Hyde said.

"We can win the league, but it is kind of sticky right now, but we are pressing on to see if we can win the remaining games. If we don't make it to the top we will be pleased with being in the top three or top four," he added.

Humble Lion should journey to Boys' Town high on confidence, given that they have registered wins in their last three games. They also defeated Boys' Town 2-0 in their last meeting, to go with a 2-2 draw in their initial meeting of the season.

Unbeaten run

The Lions will still be without the services of captain Tyrone Sawyers. They are likely to come up against a much more determined Boys' Town unit, who since losing to the Lions have gone on a nine-game unbeaten run comprising six wins and three draws.

The Andrew Price-coached Boys' Town occupy second in the standings, on 50 points, but saw their title challenge stalled last week as they were held to a goalless draw at home by bottom-place team Village United (23).

"I believe that last performance was a minor slip-up and the team is quite aware that there is no margin for error now for the remainder of the season. We are going to have to go out there and play some positive football," Price said.

"I believe while doing this we will be able to get the three points, especially playing at home," he added.

Price believes his team will pose a different challenge for their opponents than previous encounters.

"I think the last time we played Humble Lion we were a bit passive, since then we have made some structural adjustment to our team and based on that I think we are a lot more fluid now, because of our fluidity I think we will be able to get opportunities and once we get opportunities, it is just about putting it away," Price said.

"We have to continue to mount and heap pressure on Portmore and the only way to do that is to continue to be consistent and continue to win games," he added.

Price will welcome back to the squad Marvin Morgan to join up with the likes of Xavian Virgo and Renae Lloyd who represented the Reggae Boyz in Wednesday's nil-all draw with Costa Rica.

Sunday's Games

Tivoli Gardens vs Highgate United at Edward Seaga Complex, 5 p.m.

Boys' Town vs Humble Lions at Boys' Town, 3:30 p.m.

Waterhouse vs Sporting Central at Drewsland Stadium, 6 p.m.

Harbour View vs Village United at Harbour View Stadium, 6:30 p.m.

Arnett Gardens vs Portmore United at Anthony Spaulding Complex, 6 p.m.

Montego Bay United vs Reno at Montego Bay Sports Complex, 4:30 p.m.