DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Waterhouse will oppose Portmore Strikers in today's feature game of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Sherwin Williams Women's Premier League competition at the Waterhouse Mini Stadium.

In the day's other games, former champions Barbican host Arnett Gardens at the Barbican playing field and Reno entertain Maverley-Hughenden at the Negril playing field.

In A League action, Meadhaven United battle Trelawny Women at Michigan Avenue and Olympic Gardens host Seaview Gardens at Cling Cling Oval.

Waterhouse and Portmore Strikers are coming off second-round losses to Reno and Maverley-Hughenden, respectively.

Waterhouse went down 3-2 to Reno and Portmore Strikers were beaten 2-1 by Maverley-Hughenden.

" This is going to a very tough game for us because all the teams in this competition are very good," said Xavier Gilbert, coach of Waterhouse. "I am hoping we can beat them because we are playing at home and we want to make sure we win all our home games and pick up as many points as possible."

Gilbert said his team was confident and raring to go because it was aiming for a spot in this year's midseason final - a feat it has not accomplished.

"We have to just go out there and put on a good showing and once we can do that then we should be able to come out on top," Gilbert stated.

Cornel Clarke, coach of Portmore Strikers, was also optimistic about his team's chances.

"We are confident because we are leading this group and we are hoping to maintain this lead by winning at Waterhouse," said Clarke. "They got the better of us in the final last year and this was the only time that they had beaten us in long time; however, we are hoping to regain our ascendancy over them by beating them in this game."

All games start at 4 p.m.