The Indian Super League actions shifts to the giant Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata once again as Atletico de Kolkata take on NorthEast United FC in their second home game of the season on Thursday evening.
Fans are expected to march into the stadium in large numbers, as the mood is likely to be upbeat, notwithstanding that Durga Puja is over, making people feel a bit sombre. Football is the biggest mood-uplifter for the people in the mecca of Indian football for sure.
The ISL champions started their season well, but somewhere down the line, they lost their footing as ATK, losing their previous two games in the ISL this season on the trot.
The home side are currently placed at the fifth position, just below Delhi Dynamos.
Atletico de Kolkata will be looking for home advantage to get that much-needed win to try and stop their opponents from recording another win this season.
"We have created a lot of chances. Unfortunately we could not finish on many occasions so that does not worry me much. What matters is the attitude. We want to be the protagonist," Habas was quoted by IANS as saying, ahead of the game against Delhi.
Defender Josemi will be missing the game after he failed to recover in time from his injury. On the positive side, the biggest news that came from the Spanish coach is that the side's marquee player Helder Postiga will be back in just a week.
The Portugal international was stretchered off in the inaugural game of the season against Chennaiyin FC, after he scored a brace in the game.
"We will be waiting for him [Postiga] for another week. He was in Portugal for recovery. I believe he will be with us in the next seven days," Habas said.
Meanwhile, Delhi Dynamos face no injury crisis going into the game. But a news that is going to cheer up even the home fans today is that marquee player-manager Roberto Carlos has declared himself available for the game.
"I'm preparing to play and I'll play for sure, 100 per cent," Carlos told PTI on the eve of the game.
"I've recovered from the pain in my leg. I'm just planning to be on the pitch in every game from now on. There's a possibility that I may play in second half. I will put pressure my midfield players. I obviously cannot play as left back. The field is too big for me right now," he added.
Where to watch live
Atletico de Kolkata vs Delhi Dynamos is scheduled for a 7pm IST (2.30pm BST, 9.30am ET) start, with live TV coverage in India on Star Sports 2, Star Sports HD2, Star Sports 3, Star Sports HD3, Star Gold, Star Utsav (both Hindi), Jalsha Movies (Bengali),Jaya Max (Tamil) and Asianet Movies (Malayalam) and Suvarna TV (Kannada).
Online LIVE streaming will be available on Hotstar and Starsports.com.
Viewers in the US and Australia can catch the game live on Fox Sports, while the online live stream option is on Foxsoccer2go and Foxtel. Viewers in Canada can watch the Indian Super League 2015 game live on CBN and ATN.
Eurosport is the place to be if viewers in Europe and South East Asia want to watch the game live. The match can also be live streamed on Eurosport Player.
Viewers in the UK can watch the match live on Star Gold, while Middle East and North Africa viewers can catch the action live on OSN, with live streaming option on OSN Play.
