Many-time champions Harbour View FC’s start to the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League season hasn’t gone to plan, but they’re hoping for a change in fortune when they take on Humble Lion at Sabina Park on Monday at 5:00 pm.

The Stars of the East, who were humiliated by Cavalier 5-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals of the Concacaf Caribbean Cup last month, were once again on the losing end to the Rudolph Speid-coached club as they went down 3-1 on Thursday.

It was yet another disappointment as last Monday they threw away a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw against Arnett Gardens at Stadium East.

However, Assistant Coach Sean Fraser is backing the team to recover quickly.

“We’re Harbour View Football Club, we set a high standard in and out of the league,” he said. “Players who represent the club have to represent with their entire heart and just to go out there and fight and make the best use of the opportunity.

“I think that the team is ready. We had some hiccups early on, but those things happen. Bigger clubs than us, even in the English Premier League, start slowly sometimes but the bounce back is important. I think Coach Bernard has done a wonderful job so far in preparing the team. Humble Lion is a tough and physical team so we have to match their intensity and aggression.”

Humble Lion, on the other hand, are yet to taste defeat as an opening win against Treasure Beach and a draw against Molynes United see them unbeaten in their first two fixtures. But Head Coach Andrew Price knows the wounded Harbour View will be challenging.

“Preparations have been good,” Price said. “This is possibly our toughest test for the start of the season as we go up against our perennial rivals. They’re coming off a loss in their last game so we expect them to come with all of gusto to get all three points, so it’s our job to prevent them from doing it and see if we can continue on the unbeaten trail.”

In the second game of the double-header, at 7:30 pm, Waterhouse will take on last season’s runners up Cavalier. The Drewsland-based club will be looking for their third straight victory after impressive showings against Montego Bay United and Lime Hall.

Cavalier will be looking for their second win of the season but could potentially be without Captain Kyle Ming and in-form striker Shaniel Thomas, who are on their way back from the Reggae Boyz’s encounter with Guatemala in New Jersey on Saturday.