I League 2018/19: League leaders Chennai City and East Bengal lock horns in a mouth watering clash

XtraTime Web Desk:I League table topper Chennai City FC bounced back after their first defeat against Real Kashmir they won two back-to-back win over Shillong Lajong and Gokulam Kerala.

Chennai got 24 points in 11 games but a win against Kolkata giant East Bengal will have a five point advantage over their nearest rivals.

The attacking department is the team’s strength with Pedro Manzi in stellar form after scoring his second hat-trick of the season. Other Spaniards in Nestor Gordillo and Sandro Rodriguez have also found the back of the net quite often.

They have scored the most number of goals this season with 25 strikes. But they have conceded 13 goals, the most among the top-four sides.

Sinivasan Pandiyan has been ruled out due to suspension but the team will be relying on the likes of Edwin Vanspaul, Alexander Jesuraj to deliver the goods.

East Bengal were in action last Tuesday when they defeated Indian Arrows 2-1 in Bhubaneshwar. East Bengal have got themselves in the mixup after a five-match unbeaten run that has seen them pick three wins.

They are currently sixth on the table and five points behind Chennai City but the Red and Golds have a game in hand. Also, a win by two goals can take Alejandro Menendez’s men straight to second position where they enjoy at least two games hand over the next few teams.

Lalramchullova will be unavailable for the clash as he picked a red in the last match with Samad Ali Mallick likely to slot in for him. Meanwhile, the Kolkata giants have roped in Siam Hanghal to bolster their midfield.

 

It will also be interesting to see the battle of the Spaniards with Toni Dovale and Borja Gomez to go up against the likes of Pedro, Nestor, Sandro, Nauzet Santana and Roberto Eslava.

The Red and Gold will once again look to Jobby Justin, who has been in sublime form this season with seven goals. In fact he is the only number nine in the team with Enrique Esqueda still recovering from an injury.

All eyes will be on Alejandro Menendez as East Bengal will look to knock the stuffing off Chennai City in their own backyard. However, the task will not be easy given that the hosts are in good form themselves.