Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

DEFENDING champions Harbour View and Water-house hope to come flying out the gate for the third and final round of the Cash Plus Premier League (CPPL), but they face tough opposition against St. Georges and Seba today.

Following a slip-up by second-place Tivoli Gardens, who went down 3-0 to Village United over the weekend, both teams have an opportunity to move closer to the top of the table.

However, for 'The Stars of the East', who host St. Georges at 6:30 p.m. at the Harbour View Mini Stadium, and Waterhouse, who travel to Jarrett Park for a 5:00 p.m. game against Seba, making up ground on the leaders will take some effort.

'Different round'

Harbour View, who are currently in fifth place with 33 points, are yet to beat newcomers St. Georges in league play this season; however that is of little concern to their coach, Lenworth Hyde, who believes his team is on the improve.

"This is a different round, new kettle of fish. I think we are playing a lot better than when we played them in the early rounds," Hyde said. "It is very important for us to get a good start. This is the final round and we need to start getting all the points we can."

A solid start will also be important for Waterhouse coach, Wayne Fairclough. They are also yet to beat their opponents, Seba, this season and were clipped 3-2 on their last visit to Jarrett Park.

Despite a run of poor form which has seen the Montego Bay team winless in their past six games, he expects another tough fixture.

"It is always a difficult task to outmanoeuvre Seba at Jarrett Park as they are a very tough team, but we will be going out there for the win," Fairclough said. "At this stage of the competition, all points are crucial. We cannot afford to leave without any. If we don't get all three, we need to ensure at least one."

A win for Waterhouse, who are third on 36 points, could see them move to within one point of second-place Tivoli Gardens.

Harbour View and Waterhouse must keep pace with Portmore (43), who began the third round with a win over Sporting Central at the weekend.

The three teams have lifted the past three Premier League titles.

Fight for survival

In today's other games, Arnett Gardens, despite excellent play in their past couple of fixtures, are still just three points away from the drop zone in ninth place.

Beginning the third round with a win against Reno, who they face at the Tony Spaulding Complex in a 5:00 p.m. game, could go a long way in boosting their confidence for what must be a strong third round.

Rooted to the bottom of the table, August Town will continue their fight for survival when they host sixth-place Boys' Town in a 3:30 p.m. game at the UWI Bowl.

Leapfrogged by Village following their win over Tivoli, August Town cannot be read their final rites as a mere seven points separate positions one through eight in the tables.

Today's games

Arnett Gardens vs Reno at

Anthony Spaulding Complex

at 5:00 p.m.

Seba United vs Waterhouse

at Jarrett Park at 6:00 p.m.

August Town vs Boys' Town

at UWI at 3:30 p.m.

Harbour View vs St. Georges

at Harbour View Mini Stadium

at 6:30 p.m.