McDowells Mohun Bagan vs Churchill Brothers SC: The match on Thursday evening will indeed be a clash of the titans between India’s two biggest Clubs. The teams last played in the Federation Cup where the match ended 2-2 and since then things have been very different.

While Churchill Brothers went on to win the Durand Cup 2011, McDowells Mohun Bagan went through a turmoil of chopping and changing with the exit of coach Steve Darby upsetting the squad balance. However, they started off their campaign with three wins from four matches and although they have regained confidence after the 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Dempo SC in Goa, Mumbai FCs win will be behind them as they face a much tougher opposition in Churchill Brothers.

McDowells Mohun Bagan will be missing the services of star striker Odafa Okolie while Churchill Brothers will not have the services of Beto and Dinesh all of them yet to recover from injury.

Mohun Bagan captain Barreto will make a comeback and be named in the 18 man squad of the match. Surkumar and Pradeep are also likely to make a return to the squad as both have regained fitness.

Prasanta Banerjee the coach said "we have to give respect to the opponent as they are former I-League Champions and have a strong team. However, we hope for a good result at home. In the I-League there will be many ups and downs just as you have witnesses. We have conceded 5 goals in one match and scored 5 in the next. Hopefully things will turn in our favour"

Manuel Gomes, head coach of Churchill Brothers SC said "Football and injuries go hand in hand. We have to accept that. Mohun Bagan are a strong opposition and are playing at home. They have a formidable line up. However, we are here to play football and will give our best to do well in this match."

The Kick-off is slated for November 10, 6:30 PM.


Salgaocar SC vs Mumbai FC: Salgaocar Sports Club are hoping their turnaround in the I-League starts with their next battle against Mumbai FC at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Thursday.

The defending champions have had a torrid run in the I-League losing three of their four matches. But coach Karim Bencherifa who steered the team to triumphs in the I-League and the Federation Cup in a single calendar year knows his boys all too well.

“I am not losing faith in this team. I know these boys will come good and start winning again,” said Bencherifa.

“I do not think there is any need to make unnecessary changes to the team. We have registered 20 players and the good thing is that all of them are available. These are some of the best players in the country. I know there are some issues which we have fixed in training. It’s only a matter of time before they come good,” said the Moroccan coach.

Salgaocar’s opponents are also sailing in the same boat. After registering an impressive 4-1 win against Air India in the opener, Mumbai FC have stuttered and now have the worst defensive record in the league, conceding 13 goals in the last three matches. Bencherifa knows his rivals are also fragile and is keen to make them pay.

“Mumbai FC have problems but they too can be dangerous. Like i have always said, every team can give the other a run for their money,” he said.

Those encouraging words would have pleased Mumbai FC coach Khalid Jamil who is now busy trying to motivate his players.

“We have been unlucky. Against East Bengal we did very well at the start but ran out of luck,” said Jamil.

Jamil said he would make a couple of changes although the core of the side would remain the same.


Dempo SC vs Chirag United Kerala: Chirag United Kerala will face their toughest challenge yet in the I-League 2011-12 as they meet Dempo SC in the fifth round of the league at the University Stadium, Trivandrum on Thursday. The Goan’s are running riot in the league with four straight wins in the league and scoring 13 goals to achieve the feat.

But Chirag Kerala after having a winning start to the season, have lost three matches in a row – the last one coming against Air India in their first home game of the season. They will need a win to get their season back on a track, but coach Nizam Ali and the owners know well it would be a tough ask against the mighty Goans. A draw would be more realistic to expect and the Sri Lankan coach admits they have a tough challenge in hand.

It’s not only that Dempo have scored a handful in their fixtures, but it must be noted that they haven't conceded a single goal in the four matches. This proves  that they are strong in the defense and attack at the same time and the reason why they are tipped as the early contenders for the I-League crown this season. And a midfield with the likes of Climax Lawrence, Joaquim Abranches and Anthony Periera are capable of tearing any team apart.

The biggest problem for Chirag was the lack of a goal scorer in the front, and this seems to have been solved as the management has decided to bring back Anil Kumar PK who was the team's top goal scorer last season. Anil who left for Dempo during the window was unhappy about the lack of chances in the Goan side. He could now start a match on Thursday, but against Dempo in his former club's colours.

The away team are numero-uno in the I-League table with 12 points, while the home team are fourth from bottom with three points from four matches.

There was a large crowd of 8500 Kerala football lovers at the University Stadium supporting the home team on Sunday, creating a hostile condition for the away team. Chirag Kerala players will be hoping for a similar crowd to act as the twelfth man on Thursday as they take on the free scoring Dempo SC.

The match is slated for kick off at 03:30 PM.

HAL Bangalore vs Prayag United SC: Riding on a big win against Pune FC, confident Prayag United SC will lock horns with HAL Bangalore. The Airmen, having lost their last encounter after dishing out a competitive game are looking to seek redemption.

Coming from a big win against Pune FC, Prayag United will be playing with the same 4-4-2 combination - Kayne Vincent and Josimar da Silva Martins on the front and Lal Kamal Bhowmick and Denson Devadas marshalling the midfield.

HAL seem to be content with the formation they’ve played in the previous three games - a defensive plot. With five midfielders covering the defense it will provide a solid base, however, the attacking options are limited, with striker Abdullah Hamza often having a lone battle up front.

The worrying factor for tomorrow’s match is the injury of veteran RC Prakash and keeper P Pramod, both the players could not practice today, and appeared to be doubtful for the match.

Prayag Coach Sanjoy Sen look the least bemused in mainstay Yusif Yakubu’s absence, “we have good enough players in the team.” Also, unfazed about missing Abhijit Mondal under the goal posts, “There’s no first choice, next choice in game, players should be competent enough to make it to the team.”

Match starts at 3 pm at the Bangalore Football Stadium.

Shillong Lajong vs Air India: While in an another I League, Round 6 encounter Shillong Lajong will host Air India in Imphal.

The kick-off is slated for 3 PM.