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Overview
12 clubs are in action this weekend after the international break in midweek with plenty to play for at both ends of the table but interestingly the only team that gets a breather is East Bengal, who already have a huge fixture backlog to make up. But it could be a blessing in disguise for the red-and-gold brigade as captain and midfielder Mehtab Hossain got injured while on India duty against Bangladesh and thus will get some time to recover while defender Arnab Mondal had a nightmare outing. Four of the top five sides failed to win in the last round and the Kolkata giants would be hoping for something similar this time also to remain in contention for the title.
League leaders Bengaluru FC will be aiming to return to winning ways against I-League and Federation Cup holders Churchill Brothers after picking up just one point from their last two games. Churchill Brothers were beaten 3-1 at home in the reverse fixture back in December but are a much improved side now. Any slip-up from Bengaluru will open the door for Pune FC to go top with a win against fifth-placed Shillong Lajong. Pune have won just twice in their last 14 matches in all competitions and will also have one eye on their midweek AFC fixture away at Hong Kong’s Kitchee.
Third-placed Sporting Clube could also end the round in top spot if they beat Dempo on Saturday and other results go their way. Oscar Bruzon’s side ended 2013 with four straight wins but have managed just one point from two games after the I-League break and they are up against a Dempo side that has lost only once in 90 minutes in nine matches in all competition. Dempo will also be seeking revenge of their Federation Cup semi-final defeat against Sporting Clube. The weekend’s other derby clash is between Mohammedan Sporting and Mohun Bagan with both Kolkata giants desperate for three points to stay away from the one relegation spot.
Shillong’s Rangdajied United could find themselves out of the rock-bottom position if they beat United SC at home on Sunday and either Churchill Brothers or Mohammedan Sporting fail to take maximum points. Rangdajied come into this fixture on the back of their thrilling 3-2 win over league leaders Bengaluru last week. The home games are vital for the Shillong outfit and a win in this fixture could also draw United SC, who have been at mid table for the majority of the season, into the unpredictable relegation battle. In Sunday’s only other fixture, draw specialists Mumbai FC will be aiming for their sixth straight stalemate against Salgaocar, who are the league’s form team having won their last three fixtures and thus are back in the title mix.
Fixtures
Saturday: Mohammedan Sporting vs Mohun Bagan (15:00), Bengaluru FC vs Churchill Brothers (16:00; LIVE on Ten Action), Dempo vs Sporting Clube (18:00; LIVE on Ten Action), Pune FC vs Shillong Lajong (18:30)
Sunday: Salgaocar vs Mumbai FC (17:00), Rangdajied United vs United SC (17:00)
Game of the round
Bengaluru FC vs Churchill Brothers
This fixture could well be termed as the one between the champions-elect and outgoing champions. The latter is undoubtedly true as Churchill Brothers have no chance of defending the title and have their work cut out to avoid the embarrassment of relegation. Bengaluru are of course not certain of winning the title but incredibly they have led the table for the majority of their debut campaign. But their recent form in the league hasn’t been great with just one win in the last four games. Bengaluru are also running out home fixtures as this is their penultimate game at the Bangalore Football Stadium, which has become a fortress.
Bengaluru have won just three of their seven previous away games and thus need to pick up maximum points from their remaining two home matches. One of those away wins though came against Churchill Brothers with the JSW-owned club also arranging for the travel of some of their fans to Goa. Thus Ashley Westwood’s side are aiming to do the double over the defending champions and take another big step towards the league crown. But the Red Machines are unbeaten in eight domestic matches and are much stronger now with the foreign additions of Anthony Wolfe, Cristian Lagos and former Mohun Bagan defender Daniel Zeleny, who is set for his I-League debut in Churchill colours.
Churchill Brothers have a home AFC Cup clash with New Radiant from Maldives on Tuesday but the Goan club are completely focused on surviving in the Indian top flight and thus should be at full-strength. Bengaluru have lost only once in ten home matches but they were held to a draw by Mumbai FC in their last home game and thus will have to raise their game to get the better of Churchill Brothers. The big concern for Westwood will be the fact that his team haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last 11 games. The central-defensive pairing of Curtis Osano and John Johnson has been disrupted by the occasional suspension but they don’t look invincible unlike the early stages of the season. Bengaluru look more adventurous going forward though and their fans would be hoping to see Sean Rooney, Sunil Chhetri and Robin Singh at their very best.
Players to watch out for
Foreigner: Ranti Martins (United SC)
The Nigerian scored the winner on his Rangdajied debut and now would be aiming to get on the scoresheet against United SC, the club where he started the season at. If Ranti fires on all cylinders, Rangdajied has every chance of winning in this round also.
Indian: Balwant Singh (Churchill Brothers)
The 27-year-old made his international debut in midweek but didn’t get the opportunity upfront for much long in the game. Balwant now must focus on club matters and look to inspire Churchill Brothers to victory against the table toppers.
