The second 'Kolkata Derby' of the 2021/22 ISL season is set to unfold at Fatorda with the same narrative of favorites and underdog being slammed to the teams involved like the first one. ATK Mohun Bagan is in the mood to keep their unbeaten run going while SC East Bengal are desperate to get back their lost momentum.
ATKMB vs SCEB Match Details :
When: Saturday, January 29
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Where: Fatorda Stadium
ATKMB vs SCEB Match Preview :
There is a lot at stake in this derby as can be described every time the two pillars of Kolkata football brushes their shoulder. ATK Mohun Bagan finally managed to play a game after Covid chaos in their camp by competing against Odisha FC in the rescheduled fixture. Despite dominating the game in almost every front, the Mariners had to rue their missed chances in the 0-0 draw. In the absence of Boumous, William took responsibility for himself but failed to convert the chances that fell to his feet. Arshdeep Singh proved to be a brick wall with his countless saves to ATKMB's effort leaving the team deserted. Nevertheless, Juan Ferrando will be happy with the performance shown by his boys after almost two weeks wait of match postponements. The draw also meant ATKMB continue their unbeaten streak which now stretches to six games. Although they manage to win only twice in that period.
All the optimism that surrounded on the back of a winning start to Mario Riverio's tenure at SC East Bengal vanished instantly following a humiliating defeat to table-toppers Hyderabad FC. After enjoying their first-ever win of the campaign against FC Goa last week, the team struggling at the bottom of the chart returned to square one due to a mesmerizing hat trick from top scorer Bartholomew Ogbeche in a 4-0 loss. Franko Prce also missed a spot-kick to add to the misery of the Red and Gold Brigade. The club also lost an interim manager and former assistant, Renedy Singh, after the former Indian team player refused to go back to his supporting role. He did an admirable job in steadying up the ship in his short time over there. The defeat ignited more criticism of the club management. To make matter worse they face their arch-rivals next whom they failed to beat in the last two years.
ATKMB vs SCEB Recent Form :
ATKMB: DDWWD
SCEB: LWLDD
ATKMB vs SCEB Team News :
Goalkeeper Avilash Paul is injured for ATK Mohun Bagan so the signing of Subrata Paul from Hyderabad FC as a backup was a crucial transfer to undertake. Joni Kauko will be missing out on this fixture due to concerns over Covid-19. The major boost for the Green and Maroons is the return of playmaker Hugo Boumous from suspension. Returning to the side, Sandesh Jhighan is in contention to the start the derby.
SC East Bengal still have some injury concerns to deal with. Raju Gaikwad, Tomislav Mrcela and Joyner Lourenco continue their nurse their injury leaving the team with few options at the back once again. Rahul Paswan, the new arrival, will feature for the Red and Gold once his quarantine period gets over.
ATKMB vs SCEB Expected Lineups :
ATK Mohun Bagan: Amrinder Singh; Pritam Kotal, Tiri, Sandesh Jhingan, Subashish Bose, Deepak Tangri, Carl McHugh, Manvir Singh, Hugo Boumous, Liston Colaco, Roy Krishna
SC East Bengal: Arindam Bhattacharya; Amarjit Singh, Adil Khan, Franko Prce, Hira Mondal, Naorem Singh, Darren Sidoel, Sourav Das, Mohammed Rafique, Antonio Perisovic, Marcelo Santos
ATKMB vs SCEB Head to Head :
It was once again a derby to forget for SC East Bengal fans as ATK Mohun Bagan thrashed their team 3-0 in the opening derby of this season. Manvir Singh and Roy Krishna came back to haunt the torchbearers with their strike, just two minutes gap between those goals before Liston Colaco capitalise on a goalkeeper howler from ex-player Arindam Bhattacharya to seal the win in the first half itself. It meant ATKMB had won all the three derbies played in ISL history.
ATKMB vs SCEB Dream11 Team Prediction :
GK: Amrinder (8.5)
DEF: Kotal (8.5), Adil (8.5), Tiri (8.5), Bose (9)
MID: Tangri (8.5), Boumous (9.5), Rafique (9)
FW: Mahesh (9), Krishna (10), Perisovic (9.5)
