Bengaluru FC players at a training session at home on Friday. (Photo: Shashidhar B.)
In a game that almost breeds a derby atmosphere, Bengaluru FC take on Mumbai FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday.
The sides have been involved in a few fiery encounters in recent times; the same fixture last season witnessed bottle-throwing and fines for both managers and the latest I-League clash between the two sides promises to be another enthralling one.
Add to the fact that the hosts have the fate of their title chase firmly in their hands and the hurdle of never having beaten their opponents; the stakes are as high as they come.
The surprise defeat of Mohun Bagan to Aizawl FC has thrown the race wide open and a win for the Garden City club will see them level on points with the leaders who face city rivals and third-placed East Bengal on Saturday.
In layman’s terms, all BFC have to do is win their five remaining matches, the last away to defending champions Bagan, and the title returns to Bengaluru.
Despite their favourable record against the home side, Mumbai come into the tie on the back of an eight-match winless run, which includes four draws that has seen them fall to seventh in the table, just a point above relegation.
A poor return for their transfer forays this season.
Bagan gear up for East Bengal PTI adds, still smarting from their shock defeat against Aizawl, Mohun Bagan will look to bring their campaign back on track when they face East Bengal in Siliguri.
The defending champions (25) are three points clear of second placed Bengaluru FC while East Bengal have 20 points.
Having played 11 matches, the green-and-maroon suffered their first defeat of the season when they lost to debutants Aizawl in Mizoram.
After a long hiatus, the Kolkata Derby is set to be played outside the city that hosts the two most decorated clubs of Indian football.
So far, the two teams have faced each other 58 times outside Kolkata, with East Bengal winning on 22 occasions while the green and maroons have won 16 times.
The other 20 occasions saw the spoils being shared between the two sides.
