The surprise factor is no longer there, but the promoted Molynes United will be hoping to shock Waterhouse FC into submission when they meet in the top-of-the-table clash of the Red Stripe Premier League at Constant Spring, starting at 3:00 pm.

In other games at 3:00 pm, Mount Pleasant host Vere United; Humble Lion travel to Tivoli Gardens and the University of the West Indies (UWI) welcome Harbour View to the Bowl. Champions Portmore United play Cavalier at 5:00 pm at Stadium East.

Waterhouse are on top of the 12-team league with 20 points from nine games with Molynes United a shade back in second spot on 19 points and aiming to regain top spot in what will be an intriguing derby-type match.

Both teams have shared the Drewsland field, which is the home of Waterhouse this season, but today’s designated home team Molynes United have shifted focus to Constant Spring, clearly in an effort to stifle the Waterhouse home advantage effect.

The Lijyasu Simms-coached Molynes United, playing their first season of top-flight football, started brilliantly winning their first six games, but are winless in their last three and will be looking to halt their two-game losing streak.

“The boys are upbeat and ready for the task. No team is perfect, but we have our little bad run, but we are back on track. We had very good trainings this week so the team is upbeat and raring to go,” Simms told the Jamaica Observer.

“It going to be a tough game. It will boil down to who wants it most and Molynes need it more than anything right now and we going out there to play some good football and come away with a positive result,” he added.

Waterhouse are well-organised and will be, as usual, a tough nut to crack. The Marcel Gayle-coached unit could put Molynes United to the sword and condemn them to their third-consecutive defeat.

“I expect a keenly competitive game. It’s a top-of-the-table clash. It’s almost like a derby game, so we expect a tough encounter. But we are confident,” said Gayle.

“We not watching opponents for what they did before, so we are preparing for a tough one,” he added.

Waterhouse will be depending on the likes of captain Keithy Simpson, top scorer Stephen Williams, veterans Nicholy Findlayson, Shawn Lawes, Kenroy Howell, Colorado Murray, Ricardo Thomas, Mark Miller and Tramaine Stewart for victory.

Midfield general Jermy Nelson, fresh from his invitation to the national setup, will lead Molynes United’s victory charge, along with younger brother and former National Under-20 striker Nicholas Nelson.

Also, Molynes have quality in defender Kemar Seivwright, Tyrique Wilson, Fabiki Farqurharson, Ryan Brown, Anthony Greenland, and veteran striker Devon Hodges.

Meanwhile, third-placed Harbour View will be looking to secure three points from a struggling UWI.

Harbour View are on 15 points, while UWI are rooted to the bottom of the league on six points and in dire straights.

Another team in relegation worries is the promoted Vere United from Clarendon and they take on a team surging up the ladder in St Ann-based Mount Pleasant FC at Drax Hall.

Mount Pleasant have won their last two games and up to fifth with 13 points. The promoted Vere are second from bottom with seven points.

Vere have drawn four of their last five games, and put that with four defeats, they are struggling to stay in the league. They like UWI must start a run of positive results or face the possibility of playing parish football once again.

Mount Pleasant, who gained promotion last year, are a force to be reckoned with and they know a win will push them further up the table and that is exactly what is expected of them.

Struggling champions Portmore United, hovering just above the relegation zone in ninth spot with 10 points, will meet sixth-placed Cavalier FC (12 points) at Stadium East.

Portmore have lost their last two games and five of their nine games and are struggling to stay in touch with the leaders. In fact, they are closer to relegation with just three points above the drop zone. They remain a quality team and it’s a matter of time before they are expected to start firing on all cylinders. Cavalier are also a quality team and on their day can embarrass the best teams in the league.

In the fifth game on today, struggling Tivoli Gardens will be hoping to move away from the relegation zone, but their task is not an easy one as they host Humble Lion at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex.

Tivoli Gardens are just above the relegation in 10th spot on eight points and are just two points above the cellar team UWI. While Humble Lion are fourth with 14 points and aiming to stay in touch with the leaders, sitting just a point behind third-placed Harbour View and six points adrift of leader Waterhouse.

The Andrew Price-coached Humble Lion are unbeaten in their last four games and will take some effort to unsettle them as they are rounding into top form. The Phillip Williams-coached Tivoli Gardens, on the other hand, are struggling with only two victories and five defeats.

On Monday, Arnett Gardens host Dunbeholden FC at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex starting at 8:30 pm. Arnett Gardens are seventh with 12 points with Dunbeholden just behind in eighth spot on 10 points.