Mohun Bagan have two goals on the road, and Chennaiyin are their first visitors to Salt Lake

Mohun Bagan Super Giant finally play at home tonight. Their first two Indian Super League games were in Guwahati and Delhi, and they came back with three points. Chennaiyin FC arrive at the Salt Lake Stadium for a 7:30pm IST kick-off still looking for their first win, and this is their third away game in a row.

The match is on the ISL’s YouTube channel and the Sony Sports Network.

Dilmperis wants goals

Bagan lost 1-0 at NorthEast United in the opening round and then came from behind to beat Sporting Club Delhi 2-1. That leaves them sixth on three points, and the numbers bother their head coach. Panagiotis Dilmperis said his side had created plenty of chances and should have more than two goals to show for them.

“We have to score goals, plain and simple,” he said. He was just as blunt about the opponent: “It’s Chennaiyin. We have to win.”

The team news is less clear. The ISL’s own preview says Jamie Maclaren is back in contention, but Abdul Sahal is unwell and Miguel Figueira, who scored the winner in Delhi, has a hamstring problem. Midfielder Apuia is reported to have a fever. Deepak Tangri, suspended for the Delhi game, is available again.

Chennaiyin missing three

Clifford Miranda’s side have one point from two games. They drew 1-1 at FC Goa and then lost 2-0 at Bengaluru FC, and they are 11th. Glan Martins, Vignesh Dakshinamurthy and Maheson Singh are all injured and out, though Nikola Stojanović and Harmandeep Singh are available.

Miranda is not pretending this is an even fixture. He called Bagan “possibly one of the contenders for the title”, but said his side would not change their style of play for the occasion. His complaint is the same as Dilmperis’s: the final pass, and not enough players getting into the box.

A few old Chennaiyin faces

Two of Bagan’s regulars know the visitors well. Goalkeeper Vishal Kaith and midfielder Anirudh Thapa both played for Chennaiyin before moving to Kolkata.

The last meeting was in this stadium on 23 February. Maclaren scored in first-half stoppage time and Dimitri Petratos added a second in the 65th minute for a 2-0 Bagan win. In 12 meetings in all competitions, Bagan have won six, Chennaiyin two, and four were drawn.

Bagan should win this. They are at home for the first time, they have the stronger squad, and Chennaiyin have scored once in two games. My worry for them is the one their coach keeps raising. If the chances keep going begging, a visiting side only needs one good moment to leave Kolkata with a point.

Both clubs are back in action on 31 October, Bagan at home to Punjab FC and Chennaiyin at home to Kerala Blasters.

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