The 21st match of the Hero Indian Super League will see an intriguing top of the table clash between Chennaiyin FC and Atlético de Kolkata at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai, tomorrow. While the visitors (11 points) remain the only unbeaten in the tournament, the hosts’ (nine points) loss to Delhi Dynamos FC is the only blot on their perfect campaign so far. The home team will try to carry the momentum from their 5-1 win over Mumbai City FC into the match against the league leaders and displace them from the top spot.Kolkata will miss striker Fikru Teferra on the pitch and head coach Antonio López Habas in the dugout as they serve out their suspensions, but still have plenty of quality in the squad to ensure maximum points, more so if marquee player Luis García makes his return. For the home team, marquee player and league top scorer Elano Blumer has been prolific and can hope to find his name on the score sheet again.Bernard Mendy vs Baljit SahniMendy has been a consistent starter for Chennai, and forms the core of the defence, alongside Gouramangi Singh and Mikaël Silvestre, and has also chipped in with a goal. He is a threat going forward, and will be looking to do so at every opportunity he gets. It will be his task to contain Kolkata’s Baljit Sahni, who stepped up in the absence of Fikru and put himself on the score sheet against Kerala Blasters FC. His work rate and direct play are sure to pose a constant threat to the Chennai defence, and he will be looking to add to his tally.Elano Blumer vs Borja FernándezElano has been in red hot form for the hosts, scoring five goals in four games. He has been the main channel for all their attacks and will look to cause problems for the Kolkata defence as early as he can. The man tasked with marking him will be the visiting captain and midfield general, Borja Fernández, whose experience and reading of the game will be vital to ensure Elano does not get to operate at will. He will also be tasked with initiating the Kolkata attacks from the deep and keeping the heat on the rival defence.Stiven Mendoza vs Arnab MondalThe Colombian forward should be high on confidence after scoring a brace against Mumbai, and that would have hopefully sealed his place in the starting line-up in a team blessed with attacking abundance. His pace and movement are his main weapons, and he is quite capable of foraging on his own. For the visitors, Arnab Mondal has looked dependable, forming a solid partnership with Josemi in the centre of the defence. Mondal will expect to be kept busy in the game, and the Indian international will look to showcase his defensive ability against such a strong attack. Players to watchChennaiyin FCJeje Lalpekhlua -- The pacey Mizo forward has played two games, and will be hoping to play a part tomorrow after scoring in the previous match. He has a good shot and will be looking to exploit any space given to him outside the box.Atlético de KolkataJosemi -- The former Liverpool alumnus has been as solid as a rock in the Kolkata defence which holds the joint record of conceding the least number of goals in the tournament along with NorthEast United FC so far. The Spanish centre-back will have to marshal his troops with precision to keep Chennai’s dangerous attackers at bay.
