Chennai City host East Bengal in crucial I-League clash at top of table

The two teams meet in a highly anticipated clash which could go a long way to deciding their fate in the top flight title race.

In a game between two of the best attacking sides of the 12th Hero I-League, table toppers Chennai City FC take on Kolkata giants Quess East Bengal (QEB) in a return leg fixture on Monday, January 14, 2019, at Coimbatore’s Nehru stadium. The game to be played under lights is scheduled for a 5 pm IST kick-off.

Chennai secured an odd goal in the victory over their Monday visitors in the first leg at Kolkata exactly two months back but a lot has changed since then, particularly with the QEB squad.

Mexican Enrique Esqueda, who scored in that game has since gone back home and the ‘Red & Golds’ have bolstered their attack with the signing of young Spaniard Jamie Santos Colado, who has scored one of the goals of the league, as well as Toni Dovale, another Spanish player who plays down the left wing.

Spanish coach Alejandro Garcia also seems to have settled in on his defensive formation fitting in Costa Rican World Cupper Johny Acosta yet again after having second thoughts in between.

But what can really get the Kolkata side back in the reckoning is a win on Monday, which will place them just two points behind Chennai with a game in hand. Indians Jobby Justin and Laldanmawia Ralte have been on tremendous form, with the duo scoring crucial goals and making telling contributions with regularity.

Garcia said in the pre-game presser, “Tomorrow will be a crucial game. But the world won’t end if we lose. We are taking one match a time. There are new players who have come in. We are confident to stop Chennai City FC.”

Chennai, on the other hand, after remaining unbeaten in their first eight games, suffered their first defeat at the hands of Real Kashmir, but have since then returned to winning ways after two emphatic victories against Shillong and Gokulam Kerala to maintain their top position on the standings.

Pedro Manzi, their Spanish striker has scored three hattricks in the league so far for his 10 goals, and his midfield compatriots Nestor Jesus and Sandro also have 10 goals between them. The trio, on their day, looks an unstoppable force.

Chennai’s Singaporean coach Akbar Nawas, speaking on the eve of the game, said, “Playing on home ground is not a big advantage or disadvantage. The playing style is different for every coach and team it varies with every match. But we keep on uplifting our game with every match. We have good players and it’s who we choose depending on the match. We don’t have anything to lose. We have to give our best and enjoy the game.”

Given the context of the game and the position the two teams find themselves in, expect nothing less than a blockbuster clash in front of a raucous home crowd on Monday at the Nehru Stadium.

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Team News

Chennai City FC

The southerners do not have any major injuries at the moment. However, they will be missing Sinivasan Pandiyan who picked up a Red card against Gokulam Kerala in their last game.

East Bengal

The Red and Gold Brigade will be missing out on Lalramchullova's services against the league leaders, who was given the marching orders against Indian Arrows. Samad Ali Mallick is expected to get the nod to replace Chullova.

Probable Lineups

Chennai City FC- Santana (GK), Vanspaul, Eslava, Bora, Ajithkumar, Marton, Pravitto, Jesuraj, Manzi, Nestor, Sandro

East Bengal- Dagar (GK), Manoj, Borja, Acosta, Samad, Aidara, Danmawia, Colado, Dovale, Lalrindika, Justin

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

Broadcast

The game kicks off at 5 PM IST on Monday at Nehru Stadium in Coimbatore. The game will be telecasted live on Star Sports 3 and can also be streamed on Hotstar and Jio TV.