Picture courtesy: I-League

Mohun Bagan AC take on East Bengal Club in the Hero I-League season’s second Kolkata Derby at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday afternoon.

The earlier encounter between these two giants had ended in a stalemate with Pierre Boya’s 24th minute strike being cancelled by Ranti Martins Soleye in the 31st minute.

However the circumstances are starkly different now. While Mohun Bagan sit unbeaten at the top of the table, East Bengal are a house divided with new coach Eelco Schattorie at the helm.

Having failed to win in either of their AFC Cup matches under Schattorie after a five star performance against Dempo, it has been hard going for the Dutchman who eked out a draw against bottom placed Sporting Clube de Goa.

While Ranti has been in great form no doubt, leading the striking charts, Dudu Omagbemi is not firing as much as he would want, leading to headaches for the Dutchman.

East Bengal will most likely use the midfield diamond which Schattorie likes to employ with Mehtab Hossain deployed as the holding midfielder.

Arnab Mondal will partner Milan Susak in central defense while Saumik Dey will take his position on the left side of defense after returning from national duty.

Cavin Lobo will look to start in the hole, the position in which Md. Rafique had played last time around, without having much of an effect.

Lalrindika Ralte and Shylo Malsawmtluanga would be the preferred players on the wing especially with Abinash Ruidas out on national team duty.

Meanwhile, Sanjoy Sen is coming into the match on the back of a 2-0 win over Dempo SC.

However Sen does have a few selection headaches with Dhanachandra Singh missing out due to injury and Pritam Kotal away on national duty. Add to that, Shouvik Ghosh’s long term injury and Sen will be forced to partner Anwar Ali in defense alongside Bello Rasaq. Kingshuk Debnath and Sukhen Dey will be asked to marshal the wings.

In midfield too, young Sehnaj Singh who has been omnipresent for Sen is out suspended after picking up a straight red card in his last match. Souvik Chakraborty will partner Denson Devdas in all probability in the central midfield.

He will however be relieved to get his star man, Sony Norde back who will take up his familiar position down the left.

A crunch encounter, East Bengal will look to win this one to give their supporters something to cheer about while a win for the Mariners will only solidify their tile credentials.

(Report & Picture courtesy I-League Media)