I-League 2017: Bengaluru FC vs DSK Shivajians - The Pune based team looking for their first win against Blues

Ramachandran Sriram

I-League 2017: Bengaluru FC vs DSK Shivajians - The Pune based team looking for their first win against Blues image

Bengaluru FC welcome DSK Shivajians at the Fortress of Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday. 

It was only a late late goal from Salam Ranjan Singh that earned the  Blues  a point in the reverse fixture at Pune after a twin strike from Halicharan Narzary almost took Dave Rogers side to their first win over the Southerners. 

DSK will look to break that duck away from home with the side especially buyoed by their away victory against East Bengal recently. 

Aizawl - Mohun Bagan combined XI

Rogers will look to name an unchanged lineup from that encounter with Subrata Pal keeping a clean sheet after his horror show against Shillong Lajong. 

Sasa Kolunjia and Shane McFaul will be the two central defenders while Juan Quero will look to have a free flowing creative play to build up play. 

Halicharan Narzary will look to continue scoring and he will be ably supported by the wily Seityasen Singh who had a field day against the  Red and Golds. 

Meanwhile for Bengaluru FC, even though their hopes of defending their title is long gone, they have managed to get back into the reckoning to finish third after two back to back victories, including one against then leaders Aizawl after a brutal defeat against Mohun Bagan. 

Aizawl vs Bagan: What do the numbers say

CK Vineeth continues to nurse an injury while Marjan Jugovic who has been recently among goals is the latest to add his name to the long injury list. 

Juanan too is suspended but Sandesh Jhingan has recovered and will look to make it back alongside John Johnson and Salam Ranjan Singh. 

Cameron Watson too returns in central midfield alongside Eugeneson Lyngdoh while the thrust provided by the returning Udanta Singh will be key to Bengaluru breaking up the organised Shivajians side. 

A win will take them tied on points with East Bengal on 27 at third and with one match to go, the last gasp push might see them sneak into the top three especially with East Bengal's increasing woes. 

For the Shivajians it is similar as they want to end their season on a high.

Kickoff is at 7:05 pm on Saturday. 

PREDICTED LINE-UPS:

Probable XI BFC

I-League: East Bengal vs DSK Shivajians

TEAM NEWS

BENGALURU FC:

Injured:  Rino Anto, Keegan Pereira, Amrinder Singh, Marjan Jugovic

Doubtful:   CK Vineeth

Suspended:   Juanan

Key Player:  Sunil Chhetri

 

DSK SHIVAJIANS FC:

Injured:  None

Doubtful:  None

Suspended:  None

Key Player: Juan Quero

Ramachandran Sriram