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Goalkeeper: Arup Debnath (PFC)
Photo Credit: Pune FC
Both clubs will be missing their regular keepers due to suspension but Pune’s second-choice custodian Arup Debnath is more experienced than Soram Porei of Bengaluru and produced a man-of-the match display, including a last-minute penalty save, in the 1-0 home win over Bengaluru back in November.
Right Back: Rino Anto (BFC)
Rino Anto (No.13)Photo Credit: Bengaluru FC
Bengaluru coach Ashley Westwood described Anto as the best right back in the I-League earlier this year and the 26-year-old has lived up to those expectations by being highly consistent week in week out. Pune have various options for the right back slot but Anto has certainly performed better than all of them this season.
Centre Back: Calum Angus (PFC)
Photo Credit: Pune FC
Angus has been one of the best defenders of this I-League campaign and was heavily missed in the defeat to Churchill Brothers last week. The former Portsmouth youngster has also contributed going forward as he has scored twice and set up many goals through his set-piece deliveries. With club captain Anas Edathodika suspended, there will be extra responsibility on the Englishman to lead an inexperienced backline.
Centre Back: John Johnson (BFC)
John Johnson (no.6)Photo Credit: Bengaluru FC
Both John Johnson and Curtis Osano have been instrumental in Bengaluru’s title challenge but the former has been more consistent and has also contributed with three important goals. However the former Middlesbrough defender hasn’t scored since October despite being a threat from set-pieces and will have to raise his game even more in the absence of Osano, who is suspended for this clash.
Left Back: Gurjinder Kumar (PFC)
Both clubs have highly-talented left backs in Gurjinder Kumar and Keegan Pereira and the two are expected to fight for a place in the national team in the future. But Gurjinder, who is in the current India side, gets our nod for making fewer mistakes this season. The 23-year-old is quite versatile and has also been used in a left midfield role, from where he assisted two goals in the remarkable AFC Cup comeback against Hong Kong’s Kitchee.
