Bagan look to moving top of table with win over Lajong (Preview)

High on confidence after their 2-1 win over arch-rivals East Bengal, Mohun Bagan will look to moving to the top of the points table when they take on Shillong Lajong in an I-League football encounter here on Wednesday.

Bagan, with a game in hand over surprise leaders Aizawl FC (30 points), are on 29 points from 14 outings. The 2014-15 champions put in a dominant performance against East Bengal in the weekend with Haitian star player Sony Norde and young forward Azharuddin Mallick scoring two great goals.

East Bengal are third with 27 points from 15 matches.

Lajong, on the other hand, are fourth in the table (23 points from 14 games) having registered a morale-boosting 3-2 win against DSK Shivajians in their last match.

"Tomorrow we have to play much better than what we did against DSK. I am disappointed that we let in two goals after being 2-0 up. Mohun Bagan are competing for the championship and Shillong Lajong are trying to get higher in the points table. It will be a tough match but we will give our best," Lajong coach Thangboi Singto told reporters on the eve of the tie.

The last time the two sides met, Bagan ran out 2-0 winners with Darryl Duffy netting a brace.

Daryl Duffy has been prolific for Bagan this season scoring seven goals. Dipanda Dicka of Lajong is the highest scorer in the league with nine goals to his name and Bagan would be wary of the Cameroon striker.

Lajong lost their last home game to East Bengal at home but the they have won four matches in their own lair so far.

Bagan's away form haven't been too good with reversals to giant killers Churchill Brothers and a goalless draw against Bengaluru FC being their previous results. The Sanjoy Sen coached side have won just one tie on the road.

--IANS

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