Round 15 Preview: Kolkata Derby headlines the weekend as Aizawl face Bengaluru test

The league returns after the international break as teams move towards the final sprint...

The I-League is now in its final stages of the season and Round 15 is assured to be a nail-biting one with the top three teams in Aizawl FC, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal all tied up in must win matches. It's also going to be a smacking one at the bottom of the table as the battle to avoid relegation is also heating up. Aizawl FC are continuing their dream run this season as they lead the table but with East Bengal and Mohun Bagan steaming in from behind, they have to win every match remaining in order to accomplish winning the I-League this season. This week also sees the reverse fixture of the hotly contested Kolkata Derby as Mohun Bagan aim to overthrow their city rivals to continue their stunning form and carry on their charge for the title. All in all, this is going to be a decisive week for the I-League teams and is assured to have some amazing matches between the top and bottom teams of the league. Minerva Punjab Vs Chennai City Date & Venue: 8th April/ Guru Nanak Stadium Time & Broadcast: 04:35 PM/ Ten 2 The exciting weekend of football kicks off when toiling Minerva Punjab host the resurgent Chennai City with both teams looking to distance themselves from the relegation spot. Punjab are in dire need of a win right now as they showed some heart when they held leaders Aizawl to a 2-2 draw in the last matchday and will look continue that impressive form with a win which can take them 5 points clear of the drop. The two teams played out a goalless draw earlier in the season Chennai City showed amazing ability to defeat giants East Bengal before the break as they got themselves out of the relegation spot and will look to confirm survival for the season when they go to Punjab full of confidence and try to get maximum points against the struggling side. Mumbai FC Vs Churchill Brothers Date & Venue: 8th April/ The Cooperage Ground Time & Broadcast: 07:05 PM/ I League Website Mumbai FC have had a terrible season so far as they are loitering at the bottom and need to show some heart and make their supporters proud when they host Churchill Brothers at the weekend. The Mumbaikars got absolutely thrashed in their last game against DSK Shivajians and failed to get themselves out of the relegation spot. Interestingly, one of Mumbai’s two wins this season came in Goa.

Mumbai seek fresh start with Oscar Bruzon.

Churchill Brothers will look to confirm their own safety for the season by getting all three points from Mumbai they held Shilong Lajong FC to an impressive draw in their last game and will look to continue their good form after the break. DSK Shivajians Vs Shilong Lajong Date & Venue: 8th April/ Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Time & Broadcast: 07:05 PM/ Ten 2 DSK Shivajians put on a terrific performance in their last I-League fixture against Mumbai FC, as they thrashed their rivals 5-0. They'll look to continue this impressive form and give their supporters something more to cheer about when they face the attacking threat of Shilong Lajong and get a win which could see them climb further up the table. Shilong Lajong were left frustrated when they drew to Churchill Brothers which ended their recent winning streak and they are now left to gun for the top three and finish in a respectable position this season. Lajong will look to put a halt to Shivajians momentum as they seek vengeance for the defeat earlier in the season. Bengaluru FC Vs Aizawl FC Date & Venue: 9th April/ Sree Kanteerava Stadium Time & Broadcast: 04:35 PM/ Ten 2

Aizawl face Bengaluru hurdle in road to title.

Bengaluru FC were hit with a reality check last week when they were absolutely thrashed by  Mohun Bagan in Kolkata and that defeat hindered their hopes of making the top three this season. But Bengaluru still remain a formidable side at their home and with their supporters cheering them on throughout the game, they'll look to rekindle that magic and give their supporters something to cherish as they look to scupper Aizawl’s title bid and finish the season strongly. Aizawl FC's aspirations of winning the I-League took a hit in the last matchday when they came up with a disappointing draw away to Minerva Punjab and face a colossal task of defeating Bengaluru FC at their home, which not many teams have been able to do so far. But Khalid Jamil’s men have exceeded expectations and defied everyone who had doubted them before and they'll look to get the decisive win against Bengaluru which can give them the confidence to go all the way this season and lift the I-League title. Sunil Chhetri rescued a point for the Blues when the two teams met earlier in the campaign. Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal Date & Venue: 9th April/ Kanchanjanga Stadium Time & Broadcast: 07:05 PM/ Ten 2 Mohun Bagan have put their feet on the gas in the right period of the season as they made quite the statement when they thumped Bengaluru FC 3-0 last week. They also enjoyed an impressive win at the AFC Cup. Sanjoy Sen's men are looking to regain the title but face an obstacle in city rivals East Bengal, who sit just on top of them in the standings and are looking to win a maiden title themselves. Bagan will have to show their best form if they are to defeat the stubborn EB side and they'll need their amazing attack to click and give them all three points which can give them the momentum to go all the way as the season comes to an exciting close. The first derby of the season ended goalless. Despite having suffered a crushing loss at the hands of Chennai City in their last match, East Bengal's match this week is definitely personal as they'll love to close in on top spot at the expense of the Mariners this Sunday. The Red and Gold Brigade head into the match knowing that their vital attacker in Wedson has recovered and is available for the derby and Trevor Morgan will look to establish himself as the best coach in the city by putting a halt to their rivals’ impressive form. East Bengal can close in the gap to Aizawl FC with a win and even go top if things go their way this week.

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All in all, it promises to be a decisive week at both ends of the table and fans are sure to be in for some exciting action.