I-League 2015/16 preview: DSK Shivajians set for debut against Sporting Goa; Mumbai FC host Ranti Martins’ East Bengal

Sporting Clube de Goa vs DSK Shivajians FC

The Flaming Oranje had a terrible start to their I-League campaign last week after suffering a 1-3 defeat at home to East Bengal. Sporting looked a disjointed side at the Fatorda Stadium against the side from Kolkata conceding three second-half goals after going in front through a strike from captain Odafa Okolie.

On the other hand, DSK Shivajians FC from Pune, coached by former Salgaocar coach Derrick Pereira, made a direct entry into the I-League after Bharat FC and Pune FC shut down their first-team operations and Royal Wahingdoh’s pull out after last season. Owned by DSK business group, the team had tied up with EPL side Liverpool FC to form Liverpool FC International Academy, which produced India’s SAFF cup hero - Lallianzuala Chhangte.

Team News

Sporting has added Mehrajuddin Wadoo and Denson Devadas to their squad after the opening weekend's defeat, but the duo is unlikely to take the field after just days of training. Midfielder Rowlin Borges, who missed the clash against East Bengal with an injury, is slated to come back into the side.

Their opponents, DSK Shivajians look formidable with the presence of Indian International goalkeeper Subrata Paul, veteran striker Mohammad Rafi and seasoned players Haroon Amiri and Douhou Pierre. They also boast of young talents from the DSK Shivajins-Liverpool International Football Academy.

Prediction

Sporting Clube de Goa 1-1 DSK Shivajians FC

Both teams are likely to play a stalemate at the Fatorda Stadium on Sunday with the debutants focussing on playing a defensive game to register their first point.

Mumbai FC vs East Bengal

Khalid Jamil’s Mumbai side failed to get past a strong defence from Shillong Lajong in the last match even after having a lot of chances to break the deadlock. Mumbai FC will have a fight on their hand against an in-form East Bengal side, who destroyed Sporing 3-1 with second-half goals from striker Ranti Martins and Bikash Jairu.

Biswajit Bhattacharya’s East Bengal side look to be in good nick with Ranti Martins on song in the opening weekend. But, the Kolkata side has only registered one point at the Cooperage Ground in Mumbai in their last three visits, and powered by Ranti’s form, the side will be looking for a change of fortunes this time around.

Team News

Mumbai is likely to bring in pacy winger Jayesh Rane and midfielder John Coutinho into the XI. Arata Izumi and Sushil Kumar Singh were below par in Shillong but Khalil Jamil is unlikely to drop the experienced duo from the starting line-up.

East Bengal has roped in French defender Bernard Mendy and Indian International left-back Narayan Das to their squad after the win last week. But the duo is unlikely to play any part in the match with just one day of training. Cavin Lobo, Gurwinder Singh remain long-term casualties, while midfielder Sehnaj Singh will also miss the trip to Mumbai after picking up a knock against Sporting.

Prediction

Mumbai FC 0-2 East Bengal

East Bengal look set to continue their good start to the season with another win at the Cooperage on Sunday with Ranti Martins in terrific form and their opponents Mumbai in the midst of a goal-scoring crisis.

(Read: I-League 2015/16: Mohun Bagan ease past hapless Salgaocar to top spot)