Bengaluru FC clash swords with Shillong Lajong in the I-League 2016, Wednesday, at the JLN Stadium in Shillong.
The 2013-14 I-League champions -- Bengaluru FC -- are currently second in the table with 18 points, with six wins and three defeats. Shillong Lajong, meanwhile, are fifth in the table with two wins from nine games. On paper, Bengaluru FC do look the favourites, but Lajong cannot be underestimated at home.
The North-East side have won both their games at home this season -- against Salgaocar and Sporting Clube de Goa.
Bengaluru FC won by a 3-0 margin the last time the teams met this season. Kim Song Yong scored a brace in the game, while CK Vineeth got another for his team. Ahead of the latest encounter against Shillong Lajong, Ashley Westwood remains positive.
"We've won six out of nine games. Not too realistic to have expected any better than that," the Bengaluru FC coach was quoted as saying by i-league.org. "We're on track even after a tough start to the season with four out of five away games."
While Song and Vineeth look fit to appear in the game for BFC this time as well, skipper Sunil Chhetri's participation remains a major doubt. The India football team captain pulled his hamstring in BFC's previous fixture against Aizawl FC three days back.
Midfield maestro Eugeneson Lyngdoh is also unavailable, as he recuperates from his injury.
Shillong Lajong haven't been too good in front of goal in the I-League this campaign. They have scored just eight times from nine games and the likes of Uilliams Souza and Fabio Pena haven't been that dangerous in the attacking department.
Nevertheless, Lajong coach Thangboi Singto is willing to draw inspiration from his team's performance against Bengaluru FC at home. BFC were almost on the verge of winning the match last season against Lajong in Shillong, but the North-East side held on to register a 1-1 draw. "We have done well against them at home and we are positive going into this encounter," Singto stated.
Where to watch live
Shillong Lajong vs Bengaluru FC is scheduled to kick-off at 7 p.m. IST (1:30 p.m. GMT), March 2.
In India (and the rest of the Asian subcontinent), viewers can catch the game on Ten Action. Online streaming will be available on tensports.com.
Viewers in Germany, Austria, Russia, Switzerland and Gerogia can catch up with the game with online streaming will be available on LAOLA1.
Other countries can follow the I-League live scores on the I-League Twitter handle.
