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Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal are all set to confront each other in the much anticipated I-League derby for the second time this season at the Kanchenjunga Stadium on Sunday.
The match is expected to have an impact on the points table as Mohun Bagan are in the third position with 26 points in 13 matches, while their arch-rival East Bengal have 27 points in 14 matches. So, a win means they will edge past East Bengal and table topper Aizwal FC.
Currently, Mizoram side Aizwal FC are the surprise leaders at the top of the league table, having 29 points from 14 matches. If East Bengal, who have not played since March 12 due to I-League break, squeeze the gap they will be in touching distance of Aizwal. Also read: Real Madrid held to 1-1 draw by Atletico Madrid in La Liga clash at Bernabeu
However, their recent performance not too convincing as they failed to turn the clock in their favour.
In comparison to East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, who have won their last two games convincingly against Bengaluru FC 3-0 in rescheduled I-League tie and Abahani Limited Dhaka 3-1 in the AFC Cup group stage, are in good position and have a good chance to get better of East Bengal. If Mohun Bagan manage to win the derby they would level the points with Aizwal FC.
East Bengal lost to Churchill Brothers and Chennai City FC away consecutively which dented their confidence before the derby and their bid to win the I-League for the first time since it was renamed from National Football League (NFL) in 2008 to I-League.
Going by the current from, Bagan will start the match as favourites. They have winger Sony Norde in the top from along with forwards Balwant Singh and Yusa Katsumi who starred in the AFC Cup game and league tie against Bengaluru respectively. Also read: EPL 2016-17: Liverpool edge past Stoke City, Manchester City cruise past Hull
Norde was pivotal in all three goals scored by Mohun Bagan against Bengaluru FC as the Haitian winger wowed the home fans at the Rabindra Sarovar Stadium with his sublime skills.
Katsumi netted a brace in the same game and Balwant also found the back of the net against Abahani Limited in Dhaka. Jeje Lalpekhlua and Bagan highest scorer of the Scottish striker Darry Duffy win further bolster their attacking arsenal.
At the same time, East Bengal will depend on Wedson Anselme and Willis Plaza to deliver the goods. Plaza has so far scored seven goals, the highest for Trevor Morgan’s boys and the same as Duffy. Wedson too has shown good scoring instincts converting six times.
(With IANS inputs)
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