Mohun Bagan will play Mumbai FC @ Shiv Chhatrapati sports complex, Mhalunge-Balewadi on 26th October 2013. Mohun Bagan’s game against Salgaocar would definitely bring back some confidence in the team, however the team is yet to come out of trouble. Captain Odafa is nursing injuries and would be able to don the jersey only after 7 days. Eric got an injury as well. In addition Aibor is nursing injury.

Bagan boys continue to score wonderful goals from the beginning of the season, and Salgaocar match was no exception.  Mumbai defense would be more attentive after their poor show against Lajong – Bagan does not have sprinters upfront to create pressure in Mumbai defense in absence of Odafa. It is expected that Mumbai defense would go for a zonal marking unlike the one against Lajong where Anwar failed to mark Cornell Glen.

It is expected that Sabeeth will play as a withdrawal forward keeping Eric upfront.  Khalid Jamil would like to cut off th link between Sabeeth and the midfield – and that means the two wings need to take more load to trouble Jamil’s boys.

Ram, Zakir, Katsumi need to operate from deep and Adil is expected to play at the libero position. The ex-Arrows players were pretty impressive and are expected to be there in the field for longer period.

Mohun Bagan returns to the winning track finally, thanks to goals from Sabeeth and Katsumi in spite of playing 10 men for last 5 minutes after Denson got a marching order. While the midfield and the strikers gave their best at the middle and attacking third, the defense is yet to be at its best. Eche continues to make errors and unnecessary arguments by Kingshuk lead to some troubles!

 Picture Courtesy: Bartaman

Mohun Bagan have secured 2 points from 4 matches in the i-League this season, trying to search back their top-flight status – lost since the current Management body took over the charges of Mohun Bagan.
Two draws and two back to back loses – the first one in an away match and the second one in home ground , tell their own story. And to make matters worse they are yet to get the service of their captain Odafa Okolie, while it has been reported that the players have some payment issues.

While Mohun Bagan is moving towards another dull season, Salgaocar got past Mumbai FC 3-1 in their last game. Darryl Duffy scored twice in the game, and Gilbert Oliveira increased the margin.

Derrick Pereira had planned the game against Mohun Bagan much before the Mumbai FC game and did not risk playing Augustin Fernandes. Claude Gnakpa was on the bench as well. Derrick’s boys are expected to control the midfield against Mohun Bagan who have a weaker set of auality players in the middle third in comparison to the opponent. Salgaocar’s attaks are expected from left as Rahul Kumar is in form. Bagan defense need to work hard to anticipate Gilbert Olivier crosses as well.

Karim meanwhile would get back Anyichie Echezona after he got a marching order out of poor refereeing in the Pune FC game. It will be interesting to see if he fields Odafa Okolie later in the game against Salgaocar.