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Mohun Bagan welcome Chennai City to the Kolkata Maidan today in what is a must-win encounter for both the sides. The Chennai outfit are languishing in the bottom half of the table and have just a solitary win this season. Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan are lying in fifth place with three draws in a row somewhat derailing their bright start.
This is the second home game for the Mariners in their new stadium and the first match of the new calendar year for both the sides. Bagan won the earlier fixture between the two sides when Sanjoy Sen's men managed a 2-1 win on the night.
Mohun Bagan
Despite going a goal up in their last game against the Indian Arrows, the Kolkata giants squandered yet another match from a winning position and lost two crucial points. Bagan are also troubled by their injury woes with striker Sony Norde out with a knee problem.
Midfielder Yuta Kinowaki and defender Arijit Bagui suffered knocks in the 5-0 win over Churchill Brothers and are out of contention for today's meeting. The home side's defence has come under a lot of flak in recent times and hence Sen would want a solid performance from his backline against a struggling Chennai City side.
Mohun Bagan are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Dipanda Dicka being the sole striker. Centre back Eze Kingsley will be the player to watch out for if the home side are eyeing a solid performance from the back.
Mohun Bagan's probable starting XI: Shilton, Abhishek, Kinshuk, Kingsley, Ricky, D'Silva, Raynier, Kadam, Faiaz, Kromah, Dicka
Chennai City
The visiting team last played against East Bengal and will be back in action after a solid rest of 10 days. Chennai have struggled at both ends of the field and have managed just four points from six games. They will need to be at their tactical best to get the better of Mohun Bagan who also are in a desperate need for all three points.
V. Soundararajan's side can definitely surprise a few with Mohun Bagan set to miss some key men for today's clash. The manager has a fully fit squad at his disposal at the moment and will welcome back Kyrgyzstani defender Venyamin Shumeyko into the playing eleven after his injury struggles.
Chennai City's probable starting XI: Polijanec, Sebastien, Shumeyko, Ravanan, Mohanraj, Vanspaul, Jesuraj, Sinivasan, Anandraj, Soosairaj, Joachim
