The 2021/22 Hero ISL season will witness the first Kolkata Derby of the season as the two giants from the region lock horns with each other once again. Both will be wishing to fulfill their objectives this season after failing so in the last term.
SCEB vs ATKMB Match Details :
When: Saturday, November 27
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Where: Tilak Maidan
SCEB vs ATKMB Match Preview :
Like Boumous, another playmaker in the form of Antonio Persovic provided the corner that center back Franjo Prce headed in for the opener in the 1-1 draw against Jamshedpur. After a below-par season last time out, the Red and Gold Brigade were desperate for a winning start amidst the ongoing off-field issues for them but they could only draw that too the opposition being slightly better than them. Peter Hartley netted in the leveler on the stroke of halftime to force SCEB to rethink their plan. They failed to stretch Jamshedpur to get the winner as the opposition grew into the game. Some of the signings didn't shine on an opening day, Daniel Chima being the big name, but they are hoping to change in a game of pride if nothing else. SCEB will enter this derby again with an underdog tag like last season's derbies which they lost but new manager Manolo Diaz is unbothered to be considered like that. Arindam Bhattacharya will also be facing his old side after signing from them this year.
Last Match :
SC East Bengal played out a 1-1 draw against Jamshedpur while ATK Mohun Bagan were the victorious side at the end of a 4-2 thriller with Kerala Blasters.
SCEB vs ATKMB Team News :
23-year-old Darren Sidoel didn't feature against Jamshedpur FC at all but coach Diaz has said he is like the rest of the 27 players in the squad and will have options to play on Saturday. The Spaniard has also confirmed that he will test out more combinations with the formation and on the squad so changes are expected in this grand battle.
ATKMB have a full squad available for the derby except for star defender Tiri who is still in his recovery phase from his injury. Roy Krishna scored two goals in two derbies last season and is licking his lips to the net for the third consecutive time in this grand occasion.
SCEB vs ATKMB Expected Lineups :
SCEB: Arindam Bhattacharya; Mohammed Rafique, Franjo Prce, Tomislav Mrcela, Hira Mondal, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Sourav Das, Wahengbam Angousana, Bikash Jairu, Amir Dervisevic, Antonio Perosevic.
ATKMB: Amrinder Singh; Pritam Kotal, Carl McHugh, Deepak Tangri, Subhasish Bose, Hugo Boumous, Lenny Rodrigues, Joni Kauko, Manvir Singh, Liston Colaco, Roy Krishna.
SCEB vs ATKMB Head to Head :
ATKMB won the doubleheader against SC East Bengal in their first-ever appearance in the Indian Super League. Two excellent goals from Roy and Manvir gave them the upper hand in the 2-0 victory while in the reverse fixture
The Fijian along with David Williams and now Odisha departed Javi Hernandez sealed a comprehensive 3-1 win while the goal for Red & Gold Brigade was actually an unfortunate own goal scored by Tiri.
SCEB vs ATKMB Dream11 Team Prediction :
GK: A. Singh (ATKMB)
DEF: Kotal (ATKMB), McHugh (ATKMB), Prce (SCEB), H. Mondol (SCEB)
MID: Rafique (SCEB), Boumous (ATKMB), Manvir (ATKMB)
FW: Perosivic (SCEB), Krishna (ATKMB), Liston (ATKMB)
Match Prediction: SCEB 0-2 ATKMB
The underdog tag may not bother SCEB for the season's opening derby but three points will once again go to ATKMB's corridor. The defense needs a few patching for the Mariners but so the attack of the 'Lal Holud' and it will be the latter deficiency which will decide their faith in the evening.
