The top two teams in the Hero Indian Super League, Atlético de Kolkata and Chennaiyin FC, lock horns for the second time around after playing out a 1-1 draw in Chennai in the first leg. The Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata will be the venue for this much anticipated encounter tomorrow. A win will see the visitors zoom to the top of the table while a draw will suffice to enable the hosts remain atop the table where they have been since the first day of the tournament.Marco Materazzi’s side lead the goal scoring charts with 14 goals but Antonio Habas’ team have conceded far less than the visitors (7-11). Discipline has been a problem for the Bengal team who have seen three players sent off, while Chennaiyin have had one man thus penalised. Kolkata have also acquired more yellow cards (19-11) than their opponents. Having players like John Stiven Mendoza, Jeje Lalpeklua and Elano has helped the southerners garner more shots (94-72) and shots on target (51-43) too. League top scorer Elano missed a penalty against Pune City recently, the first match in which he has failed to score since the start of the ISL. The Brazilian will hope to make amends.The concern for Chennaiyin has been conceding goals. They haven’t kept a clean sheet yet despite boasting a top notch defence while Kolkata have two. It will be a cracker of a contest as they try to set the record straight.José Miguel González Rey (Josemi) vs John Stiven MendozaThe Spanish central defender has been in good form. His strength and positional awareness has served the Kolkata defence well. Chennai’s Colombian striker Stiven Mendoza will look to run at Josemi. His pace, skill and determination have made him one of the most dangerous forwards in the competition. It is up to Josemi to ensure that the “bullet” (as Chennia co-owner Abhishek Bachchan describes him) will be firing only blanks.Ofentse Nato vs Elano BlumerThe Botswana defensive midfielder has played a huge role in keeping things tight in the centre of the park with his strength, passing and tackling ability. He will be up against the league’s best player, Elano Blumer, who has netted eight times already (five more than anyone else) either through penalties, free kicks or in regulation play. Nato will have to neutralise the Brazilian in his defensive third and ensure that the latter is in no condition to cause damage to Kolkata.Fikru Teferra vs Mikaël SilvestreThe tall and powerful Ethiopian striker has three goals to his credit and has proved to be a handful for all defences. He has the ability to score goals and also retain possession. He’s good in the air as well. Marking Fikru is a tough proposition and Mikaël Silvestre will have his hands full in trying to keep the Kolkata spearhead in check. The Frenchman has the class and experience, having played for the top clubs in Europe but Fikru will seek to exploit his lack of pace and do the damage.Players to watchAtlético de KolkataBorja Fernández – The Spanish midfield general is an experienced figure in the middle of the park for the home side. The defensive midfielder has the ability to boss the proceedings with his tackling, distribution and positioning. He also has the ability to take spectacular long range shots and score. If he strikes form, his side will be hard to beat.Chennaiyin FCHarmanjot Khabra – The central midfielder was very close to getting a goal against FC Pune City in their previous encounter. He is a tireless runner and a good passer of the ball. Always willing to work for the team, Khabra is a difficult man to mark. The Kolkata defence will have to be wary of the diminutive Indian.
