After all the drama and chaos the Kolkata Derby finally going to happen on Sunday at Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata. This is technically the away game for Mohun Bagan and home game for East Bengal and the East Bengal Club is in utter mess organizing the prestigious Derby. The confusion over the derby ticket distribution is full on and spectators are desperately roaming around the city for a single piece of it. Mohun Bagan Club Administrators officially boycotting the derby blaming the wrong differentiation of prices between two section of galleries.
Anyway, Mohun Bagan will be all ready to compete in the Derby and ready to take on the arch rival. If they can secure full three points they will be on top of the table in Indian Super League. The squad look fully fit without any glitches including Sahal and Hamill who have started practicing with first team.
They are now on a six match unbeaten streak with 4 wins and 2 draw in that six match they have managed four clean sheets, conceded only four goals and scored 12 goals. They are now scored total 31 goals in 16 matches which is highest in the tournament as of now. The first derby was the eye opener for the Antonio Lopez Habas but this time he will be all ready and as Kauko, Dimi and Manvir is in red hot form the opponent East Bengal would be in extreme pressure to handle these threats.
East Bengal on the other hand under extreme difficult condition. They have managed to registered only 2 wins and 4 defeats in their last 6 matches and currently in 10th position of the points table. Although the Derby was always to be a equal affair under any circumstances but this time it looks different as one team aiming to secure top spot and East Bengal slowly fading away from top six position. Anyway, East Bengal with Khabra and Saul Crespo back should be pushing their final effort for one last time to ensure the all important sixth spot to ensure the playoff.
The match was reacheduled after several meetings and will be starting from 8:30 pm instead of usual 7:30 kick off. The transport department and Railways also arranging special services for the crowd in the night. But with so much confusion over the tickets and late start, we are yet to be sure about the full house attendance. Anyway, a derby is a derby the Bengali’s another festival and will be hoping another nailbiting encounter like the last one.
Line-up Prediction:
Recent Encounter:
Mohun Bagan 2 – 2 East Bengal (Feb 3, 2024, Indian Super League)
Kick off Time: 8:30PM(IST)
Live telecast/streaming: JioCinema, Sports18 3, DD Bangla, OneFootball(International)
Venue: Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata.
