East Bengal will seek its fifth successive win and strengthen its position on top of the standings when it takes on Mumbai FC in an I-League match at the Vidyasagar Stadium, Barasat on Wednesday evening. The host is enjoying a newfound flourish having won the last four matches on the trot – a run of success it has last experienced in November, 2012 – which gives its coach Trevor Morgan the confidence to look for the fifth on returning home after a 5-0 mauling of Minerva Punjab FC.
Sitting on top of the table with 13 points from five matches the red and gold brigade needs to cross the hurdle of Santosh Kashyap’s Mumbai City, which is currently placed sixth with as many points. The match becomes crucial in East Bengal’s aspirations as it has not tasted much success against the same opponent at home in the recent past. The last time East Bengal had beaten Mumbai FC at home was way back in 2013. Last season the two sides played a 2-2 draw at the same venue, which saw East Bengal falling out of the title race.
“I am not concerned about what has happened in matches against Mumbai FC in the past. We are taking it match by match and Wednesday’s meeting with Mumbai FC is no exception. Our objective remains the same — three points,” Morgan said ahead of the match. East Bengal will be bolstered by the return of key defender Arnab Mondal, who had injured himself during the ISL. Mumbai FC has emerged as a gritty defensive unit that thrives on counter attacks. It remains to be seen what the visitor has in store to stop the rampant host.
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