There is only one way out of this mess for the former two-time champions Waterhouse FC: Win today or face certain relegation from Jamaica’s topflight, the Red Stripe Premier League.

There is no two ways about it, today is the Drewsland-based club’s D-Day when they head into battle against FC Reno in a defining match at Drewsland starting 3:30 pm.

Waterhouse, who won the title in 1998 and 2006, are embroiled in a four-team relegation dogfight heading into the 32nd and penultimate round. They are rooted at the bottom of the 12-team league on 28 points, two behind Rivoli United on 30 points with Cavalier on 33 and Reno on 34 points.

Two of these four teams can be relegated, but for Waterhouse, it’s a do-or-die situation today as they cannot afford to drop another point or their drop will be certain.

Westmoreland-based Reno are sitting uncomfortably in ninth spot on 34 points and cannot afford to lose and fall dangerously into the clutches of the three teams below them heading into the final day on Sunday.

Waterhouse head coach Anthony Patrick remains confident that his team can pull through with victories in their last two games.

“It’s no two ways about it. We will have to try and maximise the last two games and get six points. It’s a must-win thing starting tomorrow (Thursday),” said Patrick.

Waterhouse will be sweating on two key players in Romario Campbell and Hughan Gray returning from injuries to bolster their line-up. Campbell missed their last two games, while Gray missed the last encounter.

All things being equal, veteran Jermaine ‘Tuffy’ Anderson should be fit and ready to go.

“We still have some quality players and some youngsters, so hopefully we will pull through,” noted an optimistic Patrick.

At the Spanish Town Prison Oval, the Bradley Stewart-coached Rivoli (30 points) host a Montego Bay United outfit in third spot on 56 points and looking to end a two-game losing streak and halt a four-game winless run.

With their eyes firmly set on the $1 million prize money for the team with the most points at the end of the preliminary round, Montego Bay United are expected to make life extremely difficult for Rivoli.

Rivoli’s situation is not as desperately urgent as that of Waterhouse, still a defeat or a draw against Montego Bay United and a win for Cavalier and even a Reno draw would see them relegated.

Meanwhile, Cavalier SC, winner of the league in 1981, are in 10th-spot on 33 points and will be entering their match against a Humble Lion outfit in fifth spot on 44 points and hunting a top four finish. It will be a tough game at Effortville and Cavalier could be in trouble on that final day.

At the other end of the spectrum, first-placed Portmore United on 60 points host UWI FC in fourth spot on 45 points and are looking to consolidate the last play-off spot available. UWI hold a one-point lead over Humble Lion and cannot afford a slip.

Champions Arnett Gardens, in second spot on 57 points, travel to the Compound to face sixth-placed Harbour View on 40 points who still harbour thoughts of making the top four as an outside bet.

The sixth and final match pits seventh-placed Boys’ Town (38 points) and eighth-placed Tivoli Gardens (37 points) in a dead rubber at Barbican Field.

Both teams are out of contention for a play-off spot and are safe from relegation and have only pride and bragging rights as their motivation.