I-League Preview: Bengaluru FC lock horns with Mohun Bagan; Minerva host high-flying Aizawl

Bengaluru/Ludhiana: Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC will look to raise the bar a few notches when they lock horns in a marquee clash even as table-toppers Aizawl FC travel to north India in search of their 10th win in the 2017 I-League season.

On a dream run in the ongoing I-League season, Aizawl FC, fondly called as the 'People's Club', will play Minerva Punjab FC in what could prove to be a lop-sided encounter in Ludhiana.

But Aizawl coach Khalid Jamil heaped praise on Minerva Punjab FC and said his side will never be complacent tomorrow. He added that there would be no change to his squad.

Asked about his team's six-game unbeaten run, Jamil quipped, "Right now, we're only thinking about our next game. Minerva is a good team and they are playing good football."

Jamil lauded his striking duo of Jaryan and Kamo Bayi and said they have certainly helped his side.

He added it would be a difference in the pitch patterns after playing six games on astroturf and now suddenly bumping onto the grass pitch of the Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana.

Minerva coach Surinder Singh stated that his team played really well but lacked the final touch and this cost them important points.

"We played our first four games away from our home and also our first home game was against supergiants East Bengal FC and we had no time to settle. But after that, we had a six game unbeaten run and the last two games were unlucky," he said.

Surinder also recalled his side's previous game against Aizawl FC and stated that it was a big loss for the team after the first choice goalkeeper Ravikumar was injured.

"Arashpreet is on suspension now and we're working on the right choice to make sure we grab full points."

In a simultaneous kick-off, DSK Shivajians will play hosts to bottom place Mumbai FC.

Later in the day, defending champions Bengaluru will hosts Kolkata giants Bagan in a crucial encounter.

Coming off draws in their previous games, both coaches - Sanjoy Sen and Albert Roca - know the importance of a win at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.

"It's going to be a tough game as Bagan are fighting for the league and will be looking to get three points against us. We must be aggressive in our approach to make sure that we make something out of this," said Roca at the pre-match press conference.

Having dropped points on the road against Chennai City FC, Roca believes that his side has had the wrong rub of the green in recent matches owing to poor finishing and dubious refereeing.

"We have had some decisions go against us, which is unfortunate, but we must look to put our chances away to make sure that we are not in that position again. We are Bengaluru and we must fight hard to make sure that we get the three points tomorrow," he said.

Defender Rino Anto has resumed training with the first team and could feature on the bench while Serbian striker Marjan Jugovic is set to make his home debut for the Blues.

"Marjan is a good striker and comes with experience from playing across the world and we are doing everything to get him in shape as soon as possible. We have been creating a lot of chances but have lacked the finishing and that is what we need to improve on as quickly as possible," said Roca.

Between them, Bengaluru and Mohun Bagan have won the last three league titles, two of which have been decided at the Kanteerava.

The Mariners will be without defender Prabir Das and goalkeeper Debjit Majumder, who will miss out because of an injury. But Sen said he was confident his squad would step up.

"We've never relied on a single player so these injuries do not worry us. Bengaluru's graph this season may not be the best but they are a team that can beat anyone on any given day," said Sen.

Top scorer for Mohun Bagan, Scottish striker Darryl Duffy makes a return to the squad after missing his side's 2-2 draw against Mumbai FC earlier this week.

(With inputs from PTI)