The encounter could be a keen battle as Sporting are on second wind after languishing at the bottom of the table in the early rounds of the league. However three wins in a row _ against Air India, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal _ saw them jump to fifth place. Thought their streak was broken by Dempo, who beat them 4-1.

Nonetheless, the Sporting coach Clifford Chukwuma is confident that his boys have put the Dempo loss behind them and are keen to pick three points.

"We have been combining well in the last five matches and though we will miss midfielder Mohammed Ghaffar and stopper Sumananda Singh who are injured. We believe we have a good chance of winning tomorrow," said Chukwuma, who watched the Mahindra-Dempo match keenly on Saturday evening at the Cooperage. Sporting will be hoping their key striker Elijah Obagbemeiro continues his good strike rate. Much will depend on how well key midfielders Bibiano Fernandes and Joseph Pereira will perform.

Air India too has done well in their last few games, though they lost 2-3 to Viva Kerala in their last outing. Coach Ghosh is desperate his boys win their remaining home matches to finish among the top five.

"We can do it but much depends on our finishing. With Paresh Shivalkar injured, I will start with Bashiru Abbas, Njoh Jean, Sanju Pradhan and H Thomte," said Ghosh. The coach hasn't yet decided about the goalkeeper. It will be a toss up between EC Sharath or the man-of-the-match of the last home match Arnab Das Sarma.