On a three-match winning streak, defending champions Bengaluru FC will look to go atop the table when they face local giants Mohun Bagan in an I-League football fixture at the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan on Friday.
The Sunil Chhetri-led outfit, who had begun their title with two losses including one against East Bengal here, have bounced back in style as they’re now pushing for the lead position in the table.
Written off and questioned by critics over a slow start in their defence of the I-League title, BFC turned it around in style with a 4-0 rout of Royal Wahingdoh in Shillong and they have not looked back since then, winning against debutants Bharat FC and Shillong FC before landing in Kolkata.
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Having pumped in seven goals in last three matches, Bengaluru FC might have the momentum in their favour but the Ashley Westwood-coached side would be wary against hosts Mohun Bagan, who are equally capable of denying the defending champions three points.
Bengaluru FC will miss out on their defender Curtis Osano, who was sent off in their 2-0 win over Shillong Lajong.
Despite being reduced to 10 players, Bengaluru FC displayed enough firepower to go for a second goal and their midfielder Thoi Singh who along with Eugeneson Lyngdoh have three goals each would once again look to put the visitors ahead.
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Mohun Bagan on the other hand will look to return to winning ways after their 1-1 stalemate against East Bengal in the Kolkata derby on Tuesday.
Dhanachandra Singh has an injury but it remains to be seen whether coach Sanjoy Sen opts to rest the defender while Denson Devadas may also sit out.
Mohun Bagan (eight points) has been unbeaten from four matches and a win will take them past Bengaluru FC, who occupy third place in the table with 10 points from six matches.