Chennai City FC v Churchill Brothers
Tuesday, February 14, 7 pm
Never met before
If you look at the points table, then Chennai City are seventh at the moment, with Churchill Brothers bottom of the heap, but this development has only come about after Chennai's come-from-behind 2-1 win over Mumbai FC over the weekend, one where the Goans spurned a 1-0 lead to eventually lose 3-1 away to Aizawl FC. Chennai were playing their first match under new coach V Soundararajan, but they owed the win more to Mumbai's carelessness than any tactical switch made since the removal of Robin Charles Raja.
Churchill Brothers are blowing hot and cold this season, though, with the only win having come in an inspired performance at home against Bengaluru FC. The travel from Mizoram to Tamil Nadu will also have drained them, though they will be playing with a day's gap between their match and that of the home side. It is a difficult one to call, but expect a game of high commitment levels in this clash between two teams who are likely to be involved in a relegation dogfight.
Aizawl FC v Bengaluru FC
Wednesday, February 15, 2 pm
Pld - 2, L - 2, GA - 2
Khalid Jamil and Bengaluru FC have one of the most interesting relationships in the I-League, but much has changed this season. For one, Jamil is now with Aizawl FC, and Bengaluru are under Albert Roca now, who will probably not carry the baggage of some of the stormy exchanges his predecessor Ashley Westwood had with the former Mumbai FC coach.
Aizawl lost both legs of the I-League clashes in their debut season narrowly to Bengaluru, but then more than made up by stunning the champions in the two legs of their Federation Cup encounter. This season's journey for both has also been topsy-turvy, with Aizawl perhaps favourites going into this match. Aizawl could even go second for a few hours should they win against a team that began with three wins but are winless in five matches across all competitions. Roca has been unlucky to have missed some key players through injuries and suspensions, but the race to retain the title could be slipping out of their grasp if they keep dropping points.
East Bengal v Shillong Lajong
Wednesday, February 15, 4:30 pm
Pld - 12, W- 5, L - 5, D - 2, GF - 17, GA - 11
East Bengal will hope to continue their unbeaten streak in a match at the Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri against Shillong Lajong, who themselves saw a four-match winning streak snapped in their last game at home. Lajong have always traded blows with East Bengal as equals, and ironically will get more support in Siliguri than what Mohun Bagan might have had in the Kolkata derby on Sunday.
Cameroonian striker Aser Dipanda just can't stop scoring for Lajong, a sequence that has seen him go solo up to the top of the scorers' charts, but he will need some support to unlock one of the stingiest defences of the league. Perhaps Fabio Pena, who had scored in both legs to knock East Bengal out of the Federation Cup quarterfinals last year, can step up for coach Thangboi Singto. Singto's opposite number Trevor Morgan will have the benefit of a bigger squad size to choose from, and might be tempted to giving a start to the likes of Thongkhosiem Haokip and Romeo Fernandes to keep them match-fresh.
Mumbai FC v Mohun Bagan
Wednesday, February 15, 7 pm
Pld - 16, W- 3, L - 8, D - 5, GF - 14, GA - 25
After a flying start to their I-League campaign, Mumbai FC have fallen off the rails in their last six games, losing each of them, including a defeat to Chennai City over the weekend where they led 1-0 at one stage. On paper, hosting the in-form Mohun Bagan looks like a match where that sequence could continue. It is crucial to note that Mumbai have played six of their first eight matches on the road, though.
In Santosh Kashyap, they also have a head coach who was at the helm of Bagan not long before Sanjoy Sen, so there'll be an added motivation for the coach to plot the demise of his former employers. Bagan will be travelling to the game straight from a physically and emotionally draining derby on the other side of the country, and that travel weariness is something Mumbai must look to exploit in the compact playing arena at the Cooperage with their swift, short-passing game. Mumbai have the joint-worst defensive record, and hence must embrace the fact that taking the game to Bagan will also be their best chance of keeping things tidy at the back.
Minerva Punjab v DSK Shivajians
Wednesday, February 15, 7 pm
Never met before
This is a match between teams that unexpectedly came away with positive results over the weekend. Minerva Punjab survived a Bengaluru FC onslaught to hold the defending champions to a draw, while Shivajians were impressive in halting Shillong Lajong's winning streak. Shivajians did it with a big contribution from India international Sanju Pradhan as well as Irish defender Shane McFaul.
After losing their first two games, Shivajians have hauled themselves up to the comfort of the middle of the table through sheer commitment, and coach Dave Rogers has the personnel to ensure the good form continues, though Minerva at home play with a vigour and spirit that has seen them draw one and win one match since a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of East Bengal. This match, more than any of the others for this round, could see a decisive role by young Indian players, and hence will be closely monitored by India coach Stephen Constantine.
All stats courtesy Gautam Roy, football historian and media manager of East Bengal football club.