Waterhouse's Jermaine Anderson and Tivoli's Kevin Blackford

The opening round matchings were tame. But with none of the giants facing each other, it was hardly a surprise.

A week on, pairings that transform the not so enthusiastic into must-see offerings are aplenty on today's Digicel Premier League slate. They are headed by a mouth-watering 3:30 p.m. clash between Waterhouse and Tivoli Gardens at Drewsland Mini Stadium.

Yet, as appetising as that clash may seem, a mammoth fixture between Boys' Town and Harbour View that kicks off at the same time and the day's lone late fixture between Portmore United and Arnett Gardens make stiff challenges as stellar attractions on the day.

Like the spectators, dressing rooms are even more pumped up with talk and belief that losing is not an option - thinking strengthened with talent to match the character.

Talk, however, is cheap and by now, every man will realise he'll have to work hard to earn his grain of salt.

Champions Tivoli were expected to roll over first-timers Humble Lions of Clarendon in the season-opener. Had it not been for their big sharp-shooting trio - Roland Dean, Navion Boyd and Keammar Daley - it might have been a different story.

The same might have been said of Portmore, dethroned last season on goal difference, going up against August Town, who regained promotion to the league. An even scoreline only got unbalanced in the dying stages when Portmore brought their proven national league hit man Roen Nelson off the bench to turn the tide.

Somehow, it won't be surprising if the people making the big difference in today's big games are the big men doing what they should - step up to the plate.

prepared

Tivoli are undoubtedly hoping for that though their coach, Lenworth Hyde Sr, admits it's a difficult assignment.

"It's a tough game seeing that Waterhouse are coming off a loss," he noted. "But we're prepared, we're ready for the challenge."

Midfielder Oraine Simpson dislocated his shoulder last week and will be replaced in the starting 11 by Daley, who scored off the bench.

Commenting on Simpson, Hyde said: "That's a big loss, he'll be out for six weeks."

Asked if there's been any difference in terms of the training vibe this week for tackling a renowned rival as opposed to rank debutants last week, Hyde said: "Yes, definitely ... the preparation this week has been great not only in terms of attitude, but how we prepared the team also.

"We've to prepare them differently. Waterhouse have good players ... and they play a lot of long balls, so we have to prepare for that. They also have a quality coach and Geoffrey (Maxwell) won't want to lose two straight."

Maxwell returned to the helm at Waterhouse and won the preseason Kingston and St Andrew Football Association Champions Cup.

However, they went down 1-2 at Rivoli, where Andre Clennon provided the positive with Waterhouse's only goal.

"This is early days and you're going to have upsets ... but I thought the commitment was good in the last half of our game against Rivoli," noted Maxwell.

He added: "There are 38 games in the DPL and if you multiply it by three points you get 114. To have lost the points it's not what you want."

Maxwell continued: "The training has been good this week and I think we can come out with the objective of winning three points."

Waterhouse have a big problem though. Eight of their regulars were away playing in the United States and have only resumed training this past week.

opening match

"All our overseas-based players are back in the island but lacking in condition, but it will take two weeks before Waterhouse will be back to full strength. They will not be part of the squad for Sunday," he explained.The eight include perennial scoring ace Kevin Lamey, national defender Desmond Breakenridge who has returned after a stint at Arnett Gardens, Kenardo Forbes, Jonathan Williams, Irvino English, Damion Williams, Noel Edwards and Hugh Howell.

In the interim, proven scorer Jermaine Anderson, who was replaced against Rivoli, is always dangerous and will spearhead the charge for a depleted Waterhouse.For the clash at Collie Smith Drive among teams that drew 1-1 in their opening match, there are many familiar faces representing Boys' Town, but much has changed for Harbour View who have moved up many of their youth through the ranks.

Both teams played well, and good enough to win their first game but Boys' Town were reportedly wasteful at Village and Harbour View shared the spoils in a tough, well-constructed game in which they equalised at the death through national defender Dicoy Williams.

one-goal contests

Peter Keyes, the leading marksman for Boys' Town last season, heads their charge and will be hoping to make better use of his chances this time, while Richard Edwards and Lovel Palmer are among the regulars leading the Stars of the East.

There is a strangeness about recent results in this rivalry, with the home team generally conceding defeat and Harbour View's coach, Donovan 'DV' Hayles, wants that to continue if only for today.

"It's always a tough ask of anyone playing Boys' Town and particularly at their home. Fortunately for us, we've been able to get the better of them there, even though they can say the same about us when they come to our home ground. One would hope that we continue that performance that we've been having against Boys' Town away from home and walk away with a victory."

The other no holds barred showdown, which will take place under lights, should be close. Portmore were marginally better last season in the one-goal contests and as they have begun this season by grabbing the maximum with an injury-time winner from Roen Nelson at August Town, they will be looking to reap similar rewards at home.

Arnett though, lost both a top player, Gerald Neil to a red card, as well as the game, 0-1 against St Georges at home and will be looking to rebound. It will be a tough ask, much like the task facing visiting teams in the other non-traditional fixtures.

Today's games

Waterhouse vs Tivoli at 3:30 p.m.

Boys' Town vs Harbour View at 3:30 p.m.

Sporting Central vs Village at 3:30 p.m.

St Georges vs Humble Lions at 3:30 p.m.

August Town vs Rivoli at 3:30 p.m.

Portmore vs Arnett Gardens at 7:30 p.m