In the last game before the 2017 I-League pauses for the international break, Chennai City FC host East Bengal at the JL Nehru Stadium on Sunday.
The Kolkata side have managed to lose two games in their last four and have dropped behind northeastern outfit for the race for silverware. However, Chennai City showed great resolve in holding Bengaluru FC midweek and that could spur them on to cause a major upset in familiar surroundings.
It has been eight matches since Chennai City have kept a cleansheet. Not a healthy piece of statistic by any means for V Soundararajan who has been embroiled in an ugly battle of words with Haroon Amiri who left the club after the last game.
Edging bottom-placed Mumbai FC only by a better head-to-head record, the Chennai side has not shown much intent with quality performances evading them. One positive aspect that has surfaced is that quite a lot of young local talents have been given run outs but at the cost of senior and foreign players and possibly at the risk of losing points as well.
The last time these two sides met, East Bengal demolished Chennai at the Barasat Stadium 3-0. A similar result could be expected from the visitors this time but Trevor Morgan's side's knack of choking up against minnows could return to haunt them once again.
Favourites for the title until Churchill Brothers defeated them at home 1-2 in the last round, East Bengal have a strong and a pretty well stocked squad. However, the biggest drawback being that Morgan does not use wingers in his system of a midfield diamond while the roster boasts seven of them.
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Wedson Anselme is still nursing a groin injury but in some good news, Bikash Jairu has made the voyage to Chennai and will look to jump into the action from the bench after a five-month injury layoff.
Chris Payne and Robin Singh have struck up a good partnership up-front and Mohammed Rafique will need to sit out as Willis Plaza too returns from being sidelined for three games. Trevor Morgan is also expected to ring in changes to defensive line, with Arnab Mondal expected to feature.
Dropped points at the JL Nehru might spark chaos within the Red and Gold faithful and a win will see them sit level with Aizawl at the top on points. For Chennai, who are insulated from relegation, it won't hurt it they play for pride and a chance to impress their big-ticket opponents on Sunday.
Kick-off is at 19:05 IST.
PREDICTED LINE-UPS
TEAM NEWS
CHENNAI CITY F.C.
Injured: None
Doubtful: Edwin Vanspaul
Suspended: None
Key Player: Charles De Souza
EAST BENGAL F.C.
Injured: Wedson Anselme, Cavin Lobo
Doubtful: Gurwinder Singh
Suspended: None
Key Player: Chris Payne