I-League 2018-19: Churchill Brothers vs NEROCA: Match preview and prediction
Churchill Brothers will be hosting NEROCA tomorrow and the match is set to be the most intense fixture of the day, considering both teams' forms. Churchill are second on the league table with 22 points while NEROCA are fifth with 21 points. Both have won six matches each, and Churchill (22) edge NEROCA (16) in terms of goals scored. Here's our match preview.
How do Churchill Brothers look ahead of the encounter?
Having lost two of their last five matches, Churchill will have to be careful in their match tomorrow. Notably, Churchill's first defeat of the season was at the hands of NEROCA, and they will not want the same fate this time around. Nenad Novakovic will be back after serving his suspension. A lot will depend upon how joint top-scorer Willis Plaza performs tomorrow.
How sharp do NEROCA look?
NEROCA look quite a formidable force, especially as Katsumi Yusa and Subhash Singh have become a fearsome duo up front. They have an impressive defensive line-up too, with center-backs Eduardo Ferreira and Varney Kallon proving to be quite solid at the back. However, they lost their last game against East Bengal, and will be looking to bounce back into winning form.
Who will be the key players in tomorrow's encounter?
For Churchill, Willis Plaza, of course, is the most vital player, with him currently being the joint-highest scorer of the tournament. Novakovic is also an important defender in the Churchill ranks and will play a crucial role in the match. For NEROCA, Subash Singh and Katsumi Yusa will be the key players going forward, while Ferreira and Kallon will protect the goal.
Predicted line-up and TV listing
Churchill Brothers: Kithan, Vaz, Rodrigues, Novakovic, Mohanraj, Lyngdoh, Costa, Aucho, Ceesay, Wolfe, Plaza. NEROCA: Thapa, Singh, Ferreira, Kallon, Thangmuansang, Meitei, Williams, Saran Singh, Chidi, Yusa, Subhash Singh. The match is scheduled to kick-off from 7:30 PM, and will be broadcast on the Star Sports network and can be live-streamed on Hotstar and Jio TV.
How can the match shape out tomorrow?
It is difficult to say who the favorites are tomorrow, as both clubs have been quite impressive. While Churchill have Plaza, NEROCA have Katsumi, and the two teams are separated by a single point only. However, Churchill do have a slight advantage as the match will be played at their home, and they are sure to use this factor to full effect.
