Kolkata: A week after the derby fiasco, East Bengal will return to action at the same Yuba Bharati Krirangan when they face local challengers United SC in a 12th round I-League fixture on Sunday. The red-and-gold brigade, the only unbeaten team of the tournament having conceded just one goal, will look to continue their fine momentum.
If East Bengal (21 from 9 matches) emerged triumphant they will be putting pressure for the pole position assuming they get full points from the aborted derby match as they are placed third behind leaders Dempo (25/10) and Churchill Brothers (22/10). A decision on the outcome of the violence-marred East Bengal-Mohun Bagan match is pending at the AIFF's courts after it was called off following the latter's pull out at the half-time with their team trailing 0-1.
United, who lost out against Goan side Dempo FC in the last round, stay at fifth in the table with 14 points from 10. The good news for the purple brigade is that captain Deepak Mondal is back in training. With Bello Rasaq, Gouramangi Singh, Dhanachandra, Mondal and Sukhen Dey, Dutchman Eelco Schattorie will have a lot of options in the defence, which will be the key against a team with the frontline boasting Edeh Chidi, Penn Orji and Mehtab Hossain. In attack, Ranti Martins is obviously the key, while Carlos Hernandez and Lalkamal Bhowmick will man the midfield for United as they prepare to launch a fightback.
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