I-League 2017: Chennai City v Mohun Bagan Preview: In-form Mariners eye Chennai City scalp

Manasi Pathak

I-League 2017: Chennai City v Mohun Bagan Preview: In-form Mariners eye Chennai City scalp image

Unbeaten in all fixtures in this edition of the I-League, the mighty Mohun Bagan will take on new entrants Chennai City on Saturday evening. The Mariners are second on the points table, missing out on the pole position to Bengaluru FC on goal difference. On the other hand, hosts Chennai City sit a lowly seventh in the table. 

The South Indian outfit were brought down by DSK Shivajians in their last fixture where goals from Kim and Quero saw the Loni-based outfit get the better of Chennai. The newbie franchise has registered just one point until now, following a 0-0 result against fellow newcomers Minerva Punjab in the opening weekend. 

Chennai City have conceded four goals in three games but their main concern is their misfiring attack and cohesion-less midfield. Their midfielder have not shown much creativity while strikers Charles and Marcos Tank, too, are yet to find form in the tournament. In fact, they have not scored a goal yet. However, goalkeeper Karanjit Singh has been brilliant between the sticks and he is expected to return for this game after missing out against DSK Shivajians. 

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Coming to Mohun Bagan, the Kolkata giants haven't conceded a single goal so far, keeping clean sheets in three straight games.

Bagan are playing their first away fixture of the season after hammering Minerva Punjab 4-0 at Rabindra Sarobar Stadium in Kolkata. Sony Norde, Darryl Duffy and Jeje Lalpekhlua were in scintillating form and the trio is expected to give Chennai City nightmares on Saturday. Also, their defence, comprising of Pritam Kotal, Eduardo Ferreira, Anas Edathodika and others, has looked rock-solid and a misfiring Chennai City might well be in for another long night. 

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The visiting side are comfortable favourites to win this fixture, considering the brand of football both teams have displayed so far. 

The match is expected to kick off at 7:05 PM IST at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on 21st January 2017.

 

PREDICTED LINE-UPS

Chennai City probable XI

Mohun Bagan XI

 

CHENNAI CITY

Injured: None

Doubtful: Amiri

Suspended: None

Key Player: Karanjit Singh

 

MOHUN BAGAN

Injured: Kingshuk Debnath

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Key Player: Darryl Duffy

Manasi Pathak