I-League Media Team

KOLKATA: The marquee clash of the Hero I-League is back again as Kingfisher East Bengal are all set to host arch-rivals McDowell Mohun Bagan in a rescheduled Gameweek 2 match at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday evening.

The Red and Golds played out a 1-1 draw with Bharat FC yesterday and fatigue will be their main concern going into the big encounter. Saumik Dey, who suffered an injury in the last match is the only player unavailable while the likes of Milan Susak and Leo Bertos will be making comebacks for the side.

"All the boys know the importance of the game and we are ready for it. The recovery period was short but it would not matter," Harmanjot Singh Khabra, the skipper of the side told after the practice session today morning.

Dudu Omagbemi, who came on as a late substitute in the second half, is all set to start upfront with Nigerian striker Ranti Martins. Joaquim Abraches, who scored a goal in East Bengal's 3-1 win in the last derby, may find himself on the bench with Lalrindika Ralte being preferred on the left flank.

Mohun Bagan on the other hand had a week's rest before the most important fixture of their I-League campaign so far, but will miss a couple of key players. Shilton Paul, the leader of the side will miss the match due to a knee jerk while Souvik Ghosh is also out of the equation.

In their absence, Debjit Majumder is all set to stand under the bar, while Dhanachandra Singh will start as the left-back. Pierre Boya, the marquee foreigner of the side is fit now but may find himself starting from the bench.

"Boya is fit but I have not decided whether he will be in the first XI," Sanjoy Sen, the gaffer of the Mariners told on Saturday morning.

"I think the boys are ready for the challenge. Three points in an I-league match is the bigger aim and we will try to win the match to maintain our good start," he further added.

Mohun Bagan have not defeated East Bengal in the last 5 I-League derbies with the Red and Golds winning the bragging rights twice while the three other matches ended as draws.

With more than 70 thousand people expected to attend the match, all the professionals on the pitch will be eager to make a mark on the proceedings and an exciting encounter is in the offing.

Match KO: Tuesday, February 17 @ 7 PM IST

TV Broadcaster: Ten Action, Focus Bangla, Focus North East

Online Streaming: www.tensports.com

Social Media Hashtag: #KolkataDerby, #KEBvMMB