Kolkata: City rivals East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting will lock horns with contrasting goals in a high voltage I-League round 24 clash at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan on Saturday.
Seven points and two games behind Bengaluru FC, East Bengal, who are on a six-match unbeaten run, are chasing the title, while laggards Mohammedan Sporting are on the verge of relegation ahead of this must-win match for both sides.
Having beaten the local rivals 2-1 in the first leg, East Bengal will have the psychological advantage, but the red and gold brigade have not yet posted back-to-back wins in this season's I-League.
With some injury concern to captain Mehtab Hossain, it will be a challenging task for Armando Colaco's boys to post a second win on the trot after defeating Sporting Clube de Goa.
East Bengal will be up against a team who will be desperate to avoid being relegated especially after coming to the top tier after four seasons. They have won two titles this season winning both the Durand Cup and the IFA Shield.
But their I-League performance has been below par as they have only managed one win in their last 12 fixtures having scored 18 goals from 20 matches.
"It has become a very tough challenge for us. However, we have to fight till the last match. Every game is a do or die for us and so we must give absolutely everything," Sen said.
Mohammedan Sporting will also be fighting against history as they have never beaten East Bengal in either the National Football League or I-League with two draws and seven defeats.
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