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I-League Forecast: Round 5
Goal.com's Amoy Ghoshal gives his predictions for the fifth round of the I-League....
26-Oct-2009 6:27:59 PM
Last Round's Performance:
Correct Result: 3/7
Exact Scoreline: 1/7
Season Performance:
Correct Results: 13/26
Exact Scoreline: 2/26
Mahindra United – Chirag United
Only two points and three places separate these two Uniteds so in terms of form there is not much of a difference. Mahindra look strong title contenders after making an unbeaten start despite already having played the two Goan giants Churchill and Dempo. The Mumbai outfit had to settle for a point in both those games so they will be looking to take all three points against league leaders Chirag. Kolkata’s Chirag still have more points than what Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have combined together. But they are yet to face a tough away game so the match against Mahindra will give an indication whether they can be successful for the rest of the season. Mahindra will have home advantage but Chirag won this fixture last season so they will be confident. However I expect David Booth’s team to win this by the odd goal.
Prediction: 2-1
Air India – Mumbai FC
Air India have played all of their opening three matches outside Mumbai so this fixture will give them the first opportunity to play at the Cooperage where they are traditionally very strong. Mumbai managed to pick two important away points in their last two matches so they will be looking to build on that in this Mumbai derby. Neither teams have big names but Air India look a much more organised outfit. However Bimal Ghosh's team are not known to win too many games so I expect a close encounter with both teams sharing the points.
Prediction:1-1
Churchill Brothers – Pune FC
The champions are desperate for a win after two consecutive draws and a home fixture against newly promoted Pune is probably a good chance to do exactly that. Pune have shown a lot of endeavor in all of their matches but are still without a win and now they will be playing in the toughest fixture of their debut campaign. The Goan giants are overwhelming favorites in this game but they haven’t been at their best so far this season and that should encourage Derrick Pereira’s team. However I still expect Churchill to bag all three points.
Prediction: 3-1
JCT – Dempo
This is another fifth round clash which sees two unbeaten teams go head to head. In the last round, a late goal denied JCT all three points against Churchill while a late strike kept Dempo’s unbeaten start in tact. Sukhwinder Singh’s team have already surprised many by the great start they have made and will be looking to continue that with a win in this home tie. Dempo have only played outside Goa once this term and that was against struggling Mumbai FC in the opening game so this will be a tough game for them. JCT don’t lose many at home so I expect them to get something from this.
Prediction: 1-1
Viva Kerala – Sporting Clube de Goa
The bottom two sides clash in the fifth round with both desperate for three points. Viva couldn’t make the most of home advantage against Chirag and are still yet to score this season. Last season’s third placed side Sporting are also winless despite playing all of their three matches in Goa. Viva’s home form will be crucial for their survival fight so they have to pick up something from this game. While Sporting need their first win to kick start their season but I expect both teams to remain winless after this round also.
Prediction: 1-1
Shillong Lajong – Mohun Bagan
A full house witnessed Lajong’s 3-0 win over Air India in their first ever I-League home fixture. The popularity of Mohun Bagan in the country and Lajong’s good showing should produce a similar atmosphere in this match also. The side from Shillong defeated East Bengal in the Durand Cup so they will be looking to cause one more shock by beating another Kolkata giant. Mohun Bagan’s season looks to be back on track after an emphatic 5-3 win in the derby but they need to follow it up with a good result in this match. Lajong will be difficult to beat at home all season so the Mariners will find it tough but I expect them to still edge this but only just.
Prediction: 1-2
East Bengal – Salgaocar
The fixture between these two giants of Indian football would often decide the title during the late nineties but currently it is a clash between two bottom half teams. East Bengal look in deep trouble especially after a humiliating defeat in the derby and will be eager for a good result in this one. Salgaocar have had mixed results in their three games, all of which took place in Goa so playing away from home wont be easy for Tim Hankinson’s side. But they will be aware that East Bengal lack confidence and so will be looking to exploit that. The match is likely to be played at Barasat and not at Salt lake’s artificial turf where the red and gold brigade don’t enjoy playing so I expect them to put in a much better performance. There will be a new coach at the helm also so I think it will be a home win.
Prediction: 2-1
Amoy Ghoshal
Correct Result: 3/7
Exact Scoreline: 1/7
Season Performance:
Correct Results: 13/26
Exact Scoreline: 2/26
Mahindra United – Chirag United
Only two points and three places separate these two Uniteds so in terms of form there is not much of a difference. Mahindra look strong title contenders after making an unbeaten start despite already having played the two Goan giants Churchill and Dempo. The Mumbai outfit had to settle for a point in both those games so they will be looking to take all three points against league leaders Chirag. Kolkata’s Chirag still have more points than what Mohun Bagan and East Bengal have combined together. But they are yet to face a tough away game so the match against Mahindra will give an indication whether they can be successful for the rest of the season. Mahindra will have home advantage but Chirag won this fixture last season so they will be confident. However I expect David Booth’s team to win this by the odd goal.
Prediction: 2-1
Air India – Mumbai FC
Air India have played all of their opening three matches outside Mumbai so this fixture will give them the first opportunity to play at the Cooperage where they are traditionally very strong. Mumbai managed to pick two important away points in their last two matches so they will be looking to build on that in this Mumbai derby. Neither teams have big names but Air India look a much more organised outfit. However Bimal Ghosh's team are not known to win too many games so I expect a close encounter with both teams sharing the points.
Prediction:1-1
Churchill Brothers – Pune FC
The champions are desperate for a win after two consecutive draws and a home fixture against newly promoted Pune is probably a good chance to do exactly that. Pune have shown a lot of endeavor in all of their matches but are still without a win and now they will be playing in the toughest fixture of their debut campaign. The Goan giants are overwhelming favorites in this game but they haven’t been at their best so far this season and that should encourage Derrick Pereira’s team. However I still expect Churchill to bag all three points.
Prediction: 3-1
JCT – Dempo
This is another fifth round clash which sees two unbeaten teams go head to head. In the last round, a late goal denied JCT all three points against Churchill while a late strike kept Dempo’s unbeaten start in tact. Sukhwinder Singh’s team have already surprised many by the great start they have made and will be looking to continue that with a win in this home tie. Dempo have only played outside Goa once this term and that was against struggling Mumbai FC in the opening game so this will be a tough game for them. JCT don’t lose many at home so I expect them to get something from this.
Prediction: 1-1
Viva Kerala – Sporting Clube de Goa
The bottom two sides clash in the fifth round with both desperate for three points. Viva couldn’t make the most of home advantage against Chirag and are still yet to score this season. Last season’s third placed side Sporting are also winless despite playing all of their three matches in Goa. Viva’s home form will be crucial for their survival fight so they have to pick up something from this game. While Sporting need their first win to kick start their season but I expect both teams to remain winless after this round also.
Prediction: 1-1
Shillong Lajong – Mohun Bagan
A full house witnessed Lajong’s 3-0 win over Air India in their first ever I-League home fixture. The popularity of Mohun Bagan in the country and Lajong’s good showing should produce a similar atmosphere in this match also. The side from Shillong defeated East Bengal in the Durand Cup so they will be looking to cause one more shock by beating another Kolkata giant. Mohun Bagan’s season looks to be back on track after an emphatic 5-3 win in the derby but they need to follow it up with a good result in this match. Lajong will be difficult to beat at home all season so the Mariners will find it tough but I expect them to still edge this but only just.
Prediction: 1-2
East Bengal – Salgaocar
The fixture between these two giants of Indian football would often decide the title during the late nineties but currently it is a clash between two bottom half teams. East Bengal look in deep trouble especially after a humiliating defeat in the derby and will be eager for a good result in this one. Salgaocar have had mixed results in their three games, all of which took place in Goa so playing away from home wont be easy for Tim Hankinson’s side. But they will be aware that East Bengal lack confidence and so will be looking to exploit that. The match is likely to be played at Barasat and not at Salt lake’s artificial turf where the red and gold brigade don’t enjoy playing so I expect them to put in a much better performance. There will be a new coach at the helm also so I think it will be a home win.
Prediction: 2-1
Amoy Ghoshal
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