ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC will hope to get back to winning ways when they clash in an ISL VIII match in Bambolim on Thursday.

ATK Mohun Bagan are yet to win from three matches as they have slipped to No. 6 in the table, while their Bengaluru rivals are on a three-match losing streak to be further below at ninth place in the 11-team league table. In such a scenario, both teams will be desperate to turn it around.

It has not been a rough sailing for ATK Mohun Bagan, the finalists of last season, conceding eight goals so far, including five in one game against league leaders Mumbai City. A win will take them back into the top four but for that they need their key players firing on all cylinders.

Hugo Boumous began his stint with ATK Mohun Bagan scoring two goals in their 4-2 triumph against Kerala Blasters on the opening day of the new season. Since then, the Frenchman’s form has dipped. This is just the second time in his ISL career when he has gone without a goal or an assist in four straight games and he would look to get back his rhythm.

It would be a milestone moment for their star Fijian marksman Roy Krishna who will become the 21st foreigner to reach 50 ISL appearances when he takes the field.

“I have the same opinion about Roy Krishna as in the past. He is one of the best players in the ISL,” Antonio Lopez Habas said of the Fijian.

“Bengaluru FC have a good history and they are a good team. We have to prepare as best as we can,” he added.

The task would be a difficult for the former champions Bengaluru FC who have looked a shadow of their past and leaked 10 goals in their five-game winless streak.

The Marco Pezzaiuoli-coached team have not clicked as a unit with their foreign signings also not showing that extra spark barring Cleiton Silva and Prince Ibara to some extent. Brazilian forward Silva has been the only ray of light in Bengaluru FC’s disappointing start to the season.