On a high after posting back-to-back home and away wins in the AFC Cup, East Bengal will look to continue the winning run in the I-League, when they take on Sporting Clube de Goa in a round 24 fixture here tomorrow.
East Bengal, who lead the group table in the AFC Cup, had three consecutive stalemates in the I-League, which slighted affected their title hopes.
Keeping this in mind, East Bengal would be keen to taste success against the Goans who have a clean record having won in their earlier two meetings this season.
East Bengal are lying in the second position with 42 points from 22 matches, while Sporting Clube have 30 points to be on eighth position.
Placed five points behind leaders Churchill Brothers, East Bengal must win at the Vivekananda Yubabharati Krirangan to keep their title hopes alive, with four more rounds remaining.
"Winning all our matches remains the only option for us. Churchill Brothers are ahead of us on points but all is not lost and still a lot of things can change. So we will approach our own target first and will look at other results," an optimistic Trevor Morgan, the East Bengal coach, said today.
But it won't be easy for them as they would not have their inspirational playmaker Mehtab Hossain who along with Harmanjot Khabra have double bookings.
There are also injury worries to Aussie striker Andrew Barisic, midfielder Naoba Singh and defender Saumik Dey. Penn Orji and Edeh Chidi will once again be their key players up front.
Sporting Clube will be missing the services of striker Dawson Fernandes and defender Joyner Lourenco due to suspension.
"We know East Bengal are a good side and they will be even dangerous on home turf. I have told my boys to be more cautious in their approach," Sportng Clube coach Oscar Bruzon said.
Sporting Clube are smarting from their 1-5 thrashing at home to Mohun Bagan.
"I think that was a bad day in office. Tomorrow will be a new day. We will try to regroup and get our winning rhythm back," the new coach said.
