I-League 2018-19: East Bengal vs Aizawl FC: Preview and prediction
What's the story
East Bengal will be hosting Aizawl FC tomorrow in their return fixture of the I-League.
The hosts are currently third on the league table with 32 points from 16 matches while the visitors are ninth with 14 points from 16 matches.
A lot of East Bengal's chances of winning the league will depend on the match tomorrow.
Here's our match preview.
East Bengal
How are East Bengal looking ahead of the match?
East Bengal would have been at a huge advantage if they had defeated Churchill Brothers in their last home match, but were held to a 1-1 draw.
This will be their last home match of the season.
Johnny Acosta, who played in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, is suspended.
Meanwhile, Jaime Santos could find his way back into the starting XI.
Aizawl FC
Are Aizawl ready for the challenge?
Despite bringing in new manager Stanley Rosario in January, Aizawl have not managed to produce impressive results in the I-League.
Govin Singh will not take part in the match due to suspension.
Another huge problem that has been worrying Aizawl is the lack of a striker.
Their highest scorer is Ansumana Kromah, with just five goals to his name.
Key players
Who will be the key players in the match tomorrow?
Jobby Justin will be East Bengal's most important man when it comes to scoring goals. He will want to score his tenth goal of the season.
Borja Gomez in defense will be another valuable player for East Bengal.
Kareem Omolaja Nurain and Richard Kassaga of Aizawl will have to stop EB from scoring.
Besides Kromah, Alfred Jaryan and Lalrinchhana will be key in attack.
Predicted lineup
Predicted lineup and TV listing
East Bengal: Dagar, Lalramchullova, Ranjan Singh, Gomez, Mohammed, Laldanmawia Ralte, Aidara, Lalrindika Ralte, Dovale, Esqueda, Justin.
Aizawl FC: Lalawmpuia, Valpuia, Kassaga, Omolaja, Vanlalthanga, Lalrinchhana, Jaryan, Zohmingmawia, Rochharzela, Dodoz, Kromah.
The match is scheduled to kick-off from 5:00 PM and will be telecast on the Star Sports network.
It can also be live-streamed on Hotstar or Jio TV.
Prediction
How can the match turn out tomorrow?
East Bengal will definitely have an advantage as they are the stronger side and have been far more consistent this season.
Aizawl will have to put their best foot forward if they want to walk away with a win tomorrow.
However, EB will also have the home advantage and will want to close the gap between themselves and Chennai.
We predict 2-0 to EB.
Fantasy XI
What should be the ideal Fantasy XI of the match?
Choose Lalawmpuia as the goalkeeper keeping a 4-3-3 formation in mind.
Ranjan Singh and Gomez can be the central defenders as Valpuia and Vanlalthanga take up left and right back roles respectively.
Jaryan, Aidara, and Zohmingmawia will be midfielders while Esqueda, Kromah, and Justin take up attacking duties.