League leaders Mohun Bagan should have a comparatively easy outing against ninth placed defending champions Chennai City FC, when they face off in an I-League match here on Friday.
Chennai City were undefeated against Mohun Bagan last season with a 3-1 win at home before snatching a 1-1 away draw in Calcutta. But the story is different this time and a struggling Chennai City have just two wins from seven games as the I-League season approaches its half-way mark.
In contrast, Mohun Bagan are in a seven-game unbeaten run and have lost just one match out of nine. The form of the Calcutta giants have been impressive this season. They have scored maximum goals (17), conceded least (7) and have kept five clean sheets, three more than the next team on that count.
Given Mohun Bagan’s attacking options in former La Liga striker Baba Diawara, Spanish creative midfielder Joseba Beitia and attacking left-winger Nongdamba Naorem as well as Fran Gonzales, Chennai will have to have a more organised defence line.
The hosts have bolstered their attacking options, bringing in Swiss forward Jan Mizunga, who made his debut in the East Bengal game and the home side will be hoping he will have a greater impact during Friday’s match than he had in the last match.
Mohun Bagan head coach Kibu Vicuna said: “Chennai City are the defending champions. They have a good team, who pass the ball around with good composure.”
- Kick-off at 7pm
