East Bengal keen to avenge defeat v beleaguered Bagan

Former champions Mohun Bagan, who had begun their campaign on a high with a win over East Bengal in the first leg derby, have problems aplenty with the latest being their injured forward Sony Norde all set to be released on January 22. East Bengal start favourites against beleaguered Mohun Bagan

The Mohun Bagan linchpin, who has consulted Dr Anant Joshi for his torn meniscus in right leg, is learnt to be heading to Argentina for further treatment, even as the Mariners are still hoping to see his magic for one last time on Sunday.

"We are making best efforts and he has taken injections, maybe he will be seen in action for a few minutes one last time," a team official said on the eve of the derby. Mohun Bagan won by a solitary goal against their arch- rivals in the season's first derby on December 3 last but since then they have slumped to sixth in the table and parted with their I-League winning coach Sanjoy Sen.

They have collected six points in the last six matches while East Bengal have climbed up to the top of the table with four back-to-back wins before slipping to second by dropping points in their last two matches.

Eyeing a maiden I-League title, East Bengal have not lost since their reversal in the first leg and they will start as favourites, something that was acknowledged by none other than Mohun Bagan coach Shankarlal Chakraborty.