KOLKATA: Mohun Bagan are all set to host Shillong Lajong FC in the Hero I- League encounter at the Barasat Stadium in Kolkata.
The Mariners are the only unbeaten team in the league so far after their heroics at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium where they pipped the Blues by an unassailable margin of 2-0.
Shillong Lajong churned out a point from Aizawl in their last match but they were outplayed by Kingfisher East Bengal in their last visit to Kolkata.
Singto was candid in saying that Mohun Bagan are one of the title contenders this season and Lajong have to play their very best to garner a result.
He also conceded that scoring goals seemed to be a problem for them especially since they have only managed 2 goals in six matches so far, the lowest in the entire league.
Fabio Pena and Uilliams Souza are all set to start up front while Nim Dorjee Tamang will line up in central defense with Samuel Shadap.
Custodian Vishal Kahit who was a clear man of the match against Aizawl FC will have to be at the top of his game again to stop the rampaging Mohun Bagan attack. Sanjoy Sen though could not be a happier man as not only did his team humble Bengaluru at their own backyard, but he answered on the field the Bengaluru gaffer's disparaging comments.
Sen was composed and said that he still respect Westwood and informed that the Englishman had called him up to apologise for his comments on Sen's managerial ability.
With Pritam Kotal returning from the South Asian games, Sen might look to start with him at the defense line, resting either Raju Gaikwad or Kingshuk Debnath in the process.
He also indicated that Pronay Haldar will get a well-deserved rest with Souvik Chakraborty starting in midfield, in all probability.
Kean Lewis' brilliance in the last match will also earn him a starting berth with either of Azharuddin Mullick or Brandon Fernandes to fill up the U-22 quota.
Interestingly, when Mohun Bagan met Shillong at Barasat last season, it was a goalless draw with Debjit Majumder coming to the home side's rescue a number of times.
Undoubtedly, it'll be one cracker of a match today while the defending champions take on a Lajong side who are ready to answer their critics after their shaky start in the Hero I-League.
AIFF
