The 2008 National Premier League (NPL) season begins on Sunday after being overshadowed by the battle between the JFF and the P.L.C.A.      

Telecommunication  giant Digicel has taken over from Cash Plus as the title sponsor and has pumped in $148m for three years, almost the same as the previous sponsor before thing fall apart in April.

Twelve teams will again vie for the major share of the money and everybody will be gunning to dethrone defending champion Portmore United of St Catherine.

There will be two new comers to the fold in Rivoli FC of St Catherine who are returning to the league after a two year absence and Meadhaven United of KSAFA, who will be making their first appearance in the top flight.

Defending champion Portmore United will be hard to topple and with the core of their championship winning team, only a brave punter would bet against them repeating.

The last time the NPL had a back-to-back winner was in 2001/02 when Arnett Gardens triumphed after a long wait of 31 years for their third title.

Portmore have brought in former national under-20 player Nathan Koo Boothe who was out of contract in England, Loxley Thomas, Ricardo Smith and Christopher Nicholas and with Wolry Wolfe and the prolific Reon Nelson who are on loan to Trinidad outfit Joe Public, expected back later in the season, Portmore will be hard to deny.

Second and third-placed teams Tivoli Gardens and Boys' Town will be hard pressed to repeat their good showing after surprising many pundits last year. Both teams were not too impressive in the transfer market and could fall behind Harbour View and Waterhouse this season.

Caribbean Champion Harbour View finished a disappointed fourth last season and should definitely improve and will be the main challenger to Portmore United.

Jermaine Hue and Keith Kelly are back in form along with Kavin Bryan and with new Brazilian coach Waldemar De Oliviera in charge, Harbour View could regain the title they last won in 2006/07.

Waterhouse FC and Arnett Gardens are the two last teams with a realistic chance of lifting the trophy.

Waterhouse finished fifth last year and will be fighting for the title as they normally do. The Wayne Fairclough-coached  team have lost some key players in Desmond Breakenridge, Jomo Gordon, Weston Forrest and Andre Hickling. However they have acquired a proven striker in Jermaine "Tuffy" Anderson from Granville and will be strong contenders.

Arnett Gardens, which toyed with relegation last season, have secured the services of some interesting players in Desmond Breakenridge, Asphas Bernard, Leon Irving and former national under 17 player Roy Forbes.

The vibes in the Arnett camp in up and they are expected to finish a lot higher than their eighth-placed finish last season.

Newcomer Meadhaven, Rivoli, Reno, Village, Sporting Central and St George's will make the 12-team league very intriguing but could find themselves battling to avoid relegation at the end of the season.

Sunday's games:

Portmore United vs. Rivoli FC

Tivoli Gardens vs. Meadhaven FC

Boys' Town vs. Arnett Gardens

Waterhouse vs. St George's FC

Sporting Central vs. Reno

Harbour View vs. Village United