I-League 2017-18: Churchill Brothers v Shillong Lajong - TV channel, stream, kick-off time & match preview

Churchill Brothers host Shillong Lajong in an I-League clash to be held at the Tilak Maidan stadium in Vasco, Goa, on Friday evening.

TV CHANNELS & LIVE STREAM

The Star Sports Network have the exclusive broadcasting rights of the I-League. All the matches will be telecast live on Star Sports 2 and 2 HD.

TEAM NEWS

CHURCHILL BROTHERS POSSIBLE XI (4-2-3-1): James Kithan; Wayne Vaz, Hussein Eldor, Monday Osagie, Banpynkhrawnam Nongkhlaw; Kalu Ogba, Britto P.M; Uttam Rai, Peter Omoduemuke, Nicholas Fernandes; Mechac Koffi. 

Injured: Jovel Martins

Doubtful: None 

Suspended: None


Key Players: Mechac Koffi, Bektur Talgat

Left back Jovel Martins is the only injured player in an otherwise full strength squad for the hosts. Joining Ivory Coast forward Mechac Koffi among the new signings in January - Kyrgyzstan midfielder Bektur Talgat, Gambian midfielder Cisse Gwada and Lebanese defender Hussein Eldor are all available for Friday's clash to give head coach Alfred Fernandes a selection headache for the first time this season.

SHILLONG LAJONG POSSIBLE XI (4-2-3-1): Phurba Tempa Lachenpa (GK); Kynsailang Khongsit, Kenstar Kharshong, Lawrence Doe, Rakesh Pradhan; Novin Gurung, Alen Deory; Hardy Cliff Nongbri, Samuel Lalmuanpuia, Redeem Tlang; Abdoulaye Koffi. 

Doubtful: Aiman Al-Hagri, Oh Joo-ho

Absent: Samuel James Lyngdoh Kynshi 

Suspended: Daniel Odafin 


Key Players:Samuel Lalmuanpuia, Abdoulaye Koffi

Nigerian midfielder Daniel Odafin is suspended for the tie on account of the fourth yellow card he picked against 1-0 loss against Minerva Punjab on Sunday. Aiman Al-Hagri is a concern been forced out early in that match with an injury. Samuel Lyngdoh Kynshi, who scored one of the two goals against Churchill Brothers in Shillong, hasn't traveled to Goa as he is currently with the club's U-18 squad. Korea DPR defender Oh Joo-ho also hasn't completely recovered from his sickness but is in Goa. The club's latest signing in Swedish-Gambian forward Saihou Jagne is also available for selection.

GAME PREVIEW

Churchill Brothers have a run of five straight home games to get their season back on track with a strengthened squad, thanks to their January transfer window signings. Banpynkhrawnam Nongkhlaw, who was back from suspension in the last game, will slot in place of the injured Jovel Martins while Hussein Eldor could step in to solidify the defense in their bid to better their goal difference (-10) which is by far worse than any other side this term.

Expect the experienced Bektur Talgat, who had a previous stint with the Goan side, to be prefered over Peter Omoduemuke in the central role though the two-goal hero in Churchill's 3-2 win over Gokulam Kerala on Monday is expected to keep his position in the starting line-up while Mechac Koffi continues to lead the front-line with Uttam Rai and Nicholas Fernandes providing him ample support.

Shillong Lajong had gotten the better of the Goan outfit in the first leg encounter where Redeem Tlang and Samuel Lyngdoh Kynshi were the scorers. Saihou Jagne, who was at Fateh Hyderabad last year and has been training with the squad since December, may be seen making his I-League debut on the evening.

The Reds from Shillong have dropped points in four of their last five games including three defeats, the last one against table-toppers Minerva Punjab which was just after a solitary goal win over Indian Arrows. They also suffered an injury blow to Aiman Al-Hagri but Bobby Nongbert might hope for the Yemenese midfielder to pass a late fitness test of use him as a substitute.

Lajong are not among the higher scoring teams and the only side with a negative goal difference (-4) to be placed in the top four as the pressure will mount on the shoulders of Equatorial Guinea stopper Lawrence Doe at the heart of the visitors' backline. 

Who do you expect to come on top in this battle?