East Bengal to face Churchill; Lajong take on Minerva FC

KOLKATA: Buoyed by their away win against Shillong Lajong FC, leaders East Bengal next face a resurgent Churchill Brothers, as they seek to consolidate their position atop the standings, in an I-League football fixture at the Vidyasagar Krirangan in Barasat on Tuesday.

Australian forward Chris Payne struck a first-half double to seal a 2-1 win in Shillong on March 4 and it took the Trevor Morgan-coached side to 27 points from 12 outings, one point clear of Aizawl FC.

The red-and-gold camp is likely to be further bolstered by the return of their leading goal scorer this season, Willis Deon Plaza, who has netted six times.

While Plaza has recovered from a groin injury, Wedson Anselme is yet to regain full fitness and is likely to sit out.

Morgan has termed their away win in Shillong a very important in their maiden I-league title pursuit.

East Bengal had blanked Churchill Brothers 2-0 in their away fixture at Vasco on January 18 and they will be aiming for a double for the first time since 2004-05.

BACK TO WINNING WAYS LUDHIANA: Shillong Lajong FC will look to getting back to winning ways when they take on Minerva Punjab FC in a I-League football match at the Guru Nanak Stadium here on Tuesday.

Lajong won the first leg fixture against Minerva Punjab by 2-1 with Rupert Nongrum and Aser Dipanda Dicka netting their first goals for the highlanders in the game.

Lajong are heading into the 13th round of the I-League after a 1-2 defeat at home against East Bengal FC last Saturday. Lajong coach Thangboi Singto has very high expectations from him and is hoping the entire team also performs collectively well and gets positive result from the game against the Punjab side.