Despite being this early in the season, the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) clash between cellar teams Waterhouse FC and Boys’ Town FC at Drewsland starting at 3:00 pm will be a mammoth one.

Both teams are in the relegation zone with Waterhouse in 11th spot on 11 points, while Boys’ Town are rooted to the bottom with seven points from 13 games.

The management of Waterhouse has acted swiftly, dismissing the ineffective Coach Marvin Tate and brought in a man who knows how to get the best out of tough inner-city teams in Glendon “Admiral” Bailey.

Waterhouse, champions back in 1997 and 2006, and second-place finishers in 2012/13 and 2013/14, had a wretched season last year when they narrowly escaped relegation on the last day. That poor form continued this season. and after 13 games they are again in trouble in the relegation zone.

Bailey, who quit coaching in 2014, returned last season and dragged a then struggling Tivoli Gardens to safety. And he has been asked to do the same at a Waterhouse team that has only won three times from 13 games with eight defeats already this season.

Waterhouse will want to welcome Bailey to Drewsland with a victory and are fancied to get the better of a Boys’ Town team that are favourites to be relegated. Waterhouse won their first encounter 3-1.

The “Red Brigade” are rooted to the bottom of the table with seven points and Head Coach Andrew Price, who seems to have one of the safest jobs in the league, will have to start working his magic or the former champions of the 1980s could be returning to Super League football. They are four points behind Waterhouse and six points away from safety behind the promoted pair Maverley/Hughenden and Jamalco.

Meanwhile, champions Montego Bay United, who hold a two-point lead atop of the table with 28 points, host new boys Maverley/Hughenden, who are in 10th spot on 13 points, at the WesPow Park in St James.

Revenge will certainly be on Montego Bay’s mind, as in their very first game of the season Maverley/Hughenden created a massive upset, winning 2-1 in their first game back in the premier league after many years.

The Montego Bay juggernaut are now full of running and should prove too hot for Maverley/Hughenden to handle. Joint top scorer Dino Williams, with seven goals, will again lead the charge along with Allan Ottey, Jermaine Woozencroft, Cory Hylton and Donovan Carey in pursuit of victory.

However, the promoted Maverley/Hughenden are an experienced bunch, with veteran defender Kasai Hinds at the back holding things together. Phillip Peddie and Nicholas Scott, both on four goals, will again be charged with finding the goals along with Rodico Wellington, Andrew Peddlar, Wayne Williams, and Omari Edwards.

Elsewhere, Jamalco FC and Humble Lion FC clash in what is expected to be a hot Clarendon derby at the Wembley Centre of Excellence at 3:00 pm.

The promoted Jamalco are down in ninth on 13 points, while Humble Lion are fifth with 21 points. But despite both teams sitting off the pace, this rivalry is growing in Clarendon. The more seasoned Humble Lion won the first encounter 2-1 and are fancied to repeat at this same venue.

The Donovan Duckie-coached Humble Lion will once again look towards four-goal top scorer, the veteran Wolry Wolfe, as well as Levaughn Williams and François Swaby with three goals each, Gary McIntosh, Ricardo Dennis, Hugh Howell, and Ricardo Campbell for victory.

Jamalco started the season brightly but were quickly brought down to reality with a series of defeats, and they will be hoping the likes of top scorer Rohan Richards with four goals, Roshane Sharpe, Andrew Isaacs and Andre Dawson — two goals each — along with Sean Coleman can propel them to victory.

In another key derby, fierce rivals Tivoli Gardens and Arnett Gardens clash at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex. Tivoli Gardens are riding on a high after winning their last three games and are up to fourth with 23 points. Arnett Gardens, on the other hand, are winless in their last three games and have dropped to sixth on 19 points.

Regardless of their current status, whenever these teams meet it’s a battle to the end, and the last time they played Tivoli Gardens, playing with nine men, held on for a draw and earned a good away point. Now playing at home, Tivoli Gardens will be bubbling with confidence and will make life extremely difficult for an Arnett Gardens team still struggling with internal issues.

In the highest-ranking clash of the weekend, second-placed The University of the West Indies (UWI) on 26 points travel to third-placed Portmore United, sitting just two points behind on 24 points. UWI have a very good away record, winning four of their six games, and should be comfortable at the Prison Oval, the adopted home of Portmore United.

Mid-table outfits FC Reno in seventh spot with 17 points welcome eighth-placed Harbour View on 15 points to Frome. FC Reno won their first-round meeting 1-0, but the “Stars of the East” have found another gear since and are fancied to score a crucial away win.