There is no doubt that the rivalry between champions Arnett Gardens and Montego Bay United (MBU) has gained traction in the 2015/16 Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) season.

Arnett Gardens dethroned Montego Bay United in last year’s final and have since remained unbeaten against the St James-based outfit, following a renewal of the biggest rivalry this season.

In three meetings this season, the ‘Junglists’ have been the most dominant outfit, winning twice and drawing once away to their rivals.

But all that is now a reflection in the rear-view mirror as both teams will now be revving the accelerator as they seek to gain the ascendancy in a mouth-watering, first-leg, semi-final clash today.

The Catherine Hall Sports Complex is the place to be tonight at 8:40 pm for what is expected to be an enthralling showdown, which is basically a repeat of last year’s final.

With both teams being highly rated for their attacking prowess, Arnett Gardens will enter the contest with a slight advantage on form, having won three of their last five games, while MBU have only mustered two wins from their last five outings.

Jerome Waite, head coach of Arnett Gardens, believes his charges will relish the advantage heading into the game.

“Well basically, we had to peak for that CONCACAF Club Championship first round in which we have done extremely well, and coming back home, it meant that the team would have to go through a lull. But it is good that we have found back our right footing and we are looking forward to the remainder of the season,” Waite told the Jamaica Observer.

“We have the complement of being the strongest team going into the game, so we are looking forward to pretty much a very competitive and exciting game. It will be a tactical approach; as you know, its two very good attacking teams, and based on previous results, things are going our way, so we just need to continue doing what we do best,” he added.

The tactician noted that the players are “roaring” to go and have been working “assiduously” to stave off what is expected to be a marauding MBU attacking trio.

Arnett Gardens possess a certain level of compactness within the depth of their squad and the speed and agility of the likes of Kemal Malcolm, Michaelos Martin, Vishinul Harris and Marvin Morgan in attack, are once again expected to prove hard to withstand.

Meanwhile, instrumental captain Oneil Thompson, Ranike Anderson, Dicoy Williams, Jabeur Johnson, Renae Lloyd, Jason Moore, Kenniel Hyde and goalkeeper Damion Hyatt are also expected to be a factor .

However, MBU have the most lethal strike force in a three-prong attack spearheaded by the prolific Owayne Gordon, alongside the speedy Dino Williams and Allan Ottey, who should keep their opponents defensive line on their toes.

Front line goalkeeper Jacomeno Barrett is expected to return from injury for the crucial encounter and he is expected to be shadowed by captain Dwayne Ambusley, Lesly St Fleur, Ladale Richie and Orlando McBayne.

Donovan Carey, Ronaldo Rodney and Keniel Kirlew along with Cory Hylton, Jermaine Woozencroft and Cordel Simpson, are also expected to figure in MBU’s pursuit of glory.

Lincoln Whyte, a board director of the St James club, said the team is well aware of and is prepared to accomplish the task at hand.

“We have been working all year-round and we don’t intend to come to the semi-finals to throw it away. The players understand their responsibility because we are not new to being in the semi-finals and we know that in big games big teams and big players turn up with their best,” he said.

“I think we are gelling, we kind of recognise that we have lost to Arnett Gardens twice and in the finals last year. But we have taken some lessons from our losses and I think now is the right time in the semi-final for us to come good, and we expect a good performance,” Whyte told the Observer.

For today’s game, fireworks should be expected as there is not much separating the two teams after the 33-game long preliminary phase, where MBU converted 53 times and Arnett Gardens 49.

At home, Arnett Gardens is rated as the best attacking team, scoring 31 times, with MBU being the second-best at home, with 29 goals.

However, Arnett Gardens is ranked as the fourth-best attacking team playing away, scoring just 18 times, while MBU hold the best attacking record of 24 goals when playing from home.

From a defensive standpoint, MBU is the best overall defensive team, with Arnett Gardens being third on the list. At home, Arnett Gardens is the best defensive team with MBU being the fifth-best defensive.

But while playing away, MBU is rated as the best defensive unit, while Arnett Gardens is the fourth-best defensive unit away from home.

These are factors to be considered between these two juggernauts in their battle to secure advantage heading into the return leg in Kingston next week.