Indian I-League 29th-31st December

[Napoleon Solo]

I asked BWin to put up some odd for these matches and they duly obliged!

29/12/07 12:30 Mohun Bagan AC v East Bengal 2.50 3.00 2.50
29/12/07 12:30 SC Goa v Air India 2.50 3.00 2.50
29/12/07 12:30 Viva Kerala v JCT Mills 3.25 3.10 2.00
31/12/07 12:30 Salgaocar SC v Churchill Brothers 3.50 3.25 1.85

[Napoleon Solo]

SC Goa v Air India

First thought, SC Goa are possibly a bit over priced. They're currently bottom, but they've been unlucky that they've only played two of their games at home, both against title challenging teams. They've not acquitted themselves too badly away from home either, their two road defeats once again coming to teams that are likely to be title challengers.

Air India's mid-table league positions have, for the last few seasons at least, been built on their solid home form, lost just 2 of last 19 home games, whilst their away form has been abysmal, with just 4 away wins in their last 23 games (last seasons bottom club and the prior seasons bottom two, as well as a shock win over Dempo).

SC Goa were undone by an early onslaught away to JCT Mills in their last game, though showed plenty of signs of life in front of goal to pull back 2 goals. They were boosted in that game by the signing of four player - Lawrence Adeji (striker), Elijah Obagbemeiro Junior (striker), Ogundare Olushola (striker) and Mohamad Gafari (midfielder). Adeji scored against JCT, Olushola and Gafari both started the game, whilst Junior, who was top scorer in this season's Bangladeshi league, is hopeful of starting this game.

Air India put up a decent fight at home to title challengers Dempo, but were ultimately undone by a superior team. I'd expect them to struggle on the road again, hopefully SC Goa being victorious.

[Napoleon Solo]

Viva Kerala v JCT Mills

How this match goes will really depend on how Viva Kerala react to their 0-5 thrashing at Churchill Brothers in the previous round. The team promoted to the inaugural I-League this season will have to be at their best to stop the heavyweights of JCT Mills and I just can't see it happening.

JCT Mills are at full strength with the return of star player Sunil Chhetri from suspension. They're unbeaten so far in the league and were apparently quite impressive in their 4-2 victory over SC Goa.

Evens looks far too big for the heavyweights against the newly promoted minnows!

[Napoleon Solo]

SC Goa 1 v 0 Air India
Viva Kerala 0 v 2 JCT Mills