Aizawl FC v Chennai City FC
Saturday, February 25, 2 PM
Pld - 1, L - 1, GA - 2
Chennai City picked up their first win of the I-League at the expense of Aizawl FC earlier this season, but this match will present Aizawl with the opportunity of not just exacting some amount of revenge for the 2-0 defeat on January 28, but to also go top of the points table, two clear of both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan if they win.
Aizawl have played with great cohesion, with notable contributions from striker Kamo Bayi and goalkeeper Albino Gomes. They are unbeaten in six home games this year, winning five.
On paper, facing a side that has lost each of their four away matches, conceding nine goals and scoring none in the process, should make Aizawl favourites to pull off a win, one by a margin that gives them some breathing space at the top. They must watch out not just for Chennai's ability to hit on the counters, but also rein in their own impulses, that have seen them concede soft fouls and penalties.
Bengaluru FC v East Bengal
Saturday, February 25, 7 PM
Pld - 7, W - 3, L - 4, GF - 8, GA - 8
Bengaluru and East Bengal have provided one of the most exciting rivalries over the last four seasons of the league, and Saturday's clash carries huge importance for both teams.
Albert Roca's team began the season as champions, and looked like that in winning their first three games on the trot at home, without conceding a single goal. The first goal, and defeat, came at the hands of East Bengal in the return fixture of this match on January 22, and Bengaluru are winless in five matches since then.
East Bengal, on the other hand, were one of the two unbeaten teams in the league before their 1-0 loss to Aizawl on February 20. They continue to be the most prolific scorers in the league with 18 goals, and only Mohun Bagan have conceded fewer than them.
This match will also feature a couple of high-profile reunions - Harmanjot Khabra was an East Bengal regular till last season, while Robin Singh has already had the satisfaction of scoring the winner in the 2-1 win for East Bengal against his former club.
Churchill Brothers v DSK Shivajians
Sunday, February 26, 4:30 PM
Pld - 1, D - 1, GF - 1, GA - 1
A difficult match to call, especially keeping in mind the contrasting performances and results for both teams in their most recent matches.
While Churchill Brothers were inspired when moving forward against Minerva Punjab at home last weekend, they were equally insipid at the back, ending on the wrong side of a 5-4 score line in the league's highest-scoring match this season.
In contrast, DSK Shivajians were very good in the first part of their difficult away match to Mohun Bagan, leading 1-0 after 40 minutes. A goalkeeping error from Subrata Pal left the door ajar for Bagan, and the 2015 champions eventually ran out 3-1 winners.
Shivajians tend to play well in patches, but need to sustain their performance levels once they start a match well. Churchill, on the other hand, will be aware of the importance of points at this stage - they are last on the points table and know that without the relegation immunity given to corporate-backed sides, they must aim for a mid-table finish to avoid the drop at the end of the season.
They do have the seasoned coach Derrick Pereira to lean back on, and his influence will be visible on a side that is high on passion, but lacks experience in several departments.
Mumbai FC v Minerva Punjab
Sunday, February 26, 7 PM
Pld - 1, L - 1, GF - 1, GA - 2
Santosh Kashyap's Mumbai FC have arrested their downward slide of six straight defeats since returning to the comfort of the Cooperage ground back home. They eked out successive goalless draws against Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC in their last two games, but against Minerva Punjab, they face what could be a defining moment for both teams for the rest of the season.
Minerva started poorly, but come into this match on the back of a gritty 5-4 win in Vasco against Churchill. Their first win of the season was a 2-1 victory at the expense of Mumbai on February 4, and they also lead Mumbai on points going into the game. If their young Indian players like Baoringdao Bodo, Anirudh Thapa and Souvik Das can pull their collective weight, pulling off their third win might be within reach for Mumbai.
All stats courtesy Gautam Roy, football historian and media manager of East Bengal football club.