I-League 2018-19: Minerva vs Aizawl FC: Preview and prediction
What's the story
Defending I-League champions Minerva Punjab will be hosting Aizawl FC tomorrow in the I-League.
While Minerva are seventh on the league table with 14 points from as many matches, Aizawl are 10th with just 11 points.
Aizawl can create a distance between themselves and the relegation zone with a win tomorrow. Will they win or falter?
Here's our detailed match preview.
Minerva
How are Minerva looking ahead of the match?
In their last two matches, the defending champions lost easy points which they should have won against Shillong Lajong and Gokulam Kerala.
They've been worse than Indian Arrows (9) in front of goal, managing to score just seven the entire season.
Unlike last season, Minerva have no striker, and this has created a huge problem for them.
Kouame Zacharie will return from suspension tomorrow.
Aizawl FC
Are Aizawl FC up for the challenge tomorrow?
Ansumana Kromah has returned after being out with an injury, and this will be a much-needed boost for Aizawl.
Aizawl will require senior players like David Lalrinmuana, Alfred Jaryan and Leonce Dodoz to fire up tomorrow to give them a win.
Their new coach Stanley Rozario is yet to win a single match with the club, and will be eager to change this tomorrow.
Key players
Who will be the key players in tomorrow's encounter?
For Minerva, their striker Kouame Zacharie will be vital in the match as the team will look to him for goals.
Prabhjot Singh and Akash Sangwan will also be important in producing goalscoring chances for the hosts.
Kromah and Dodoz will be primarily responsible for Aizawl's goalscoring efforts tomorrow, while Kasagga and Nurain will shoulder defensive responsibilities.
TV listing
Predicted line-up and TV listing
Minerva Punjab: Lal, Devrani, Toure, Caceido, Akashdeep Singh, Das, Amandeep Singh, Sangwan, Khan, Prabhjot Singh, Zacharie.
Aizawl FC: Lalawmpuia, Singh, Kasagga, Nurain, Lalramhmunmawia, Jaryan, Rochharzela, Zohmingmawia, Lalkhawpuimawia, Kromah, Dodoz.
The match is scheduled to kick-off at 2:00 PM and will be telecast on the Star Sports network, and can also be live-streamed on Hotstar and Jio TV.
Prediction
How can the fixture turn out to be?
Minerva will be worried about their lack of goals tomorrow, and though they have comparatively performed better than Aizawl, the match can hardly be taken for granted by any side.
If Aizawl can make the full use of Kromah's return and net an early goal, they can very well grab the win and save themselves from the relegation zone.