Dempo looking to maintain their top position

Margao: Dempo is looking to collect full points against Salgaocar to maintain their top position when

they meet tomorrow in the 16th round of the I-League, at Nehru stadium, Margao. Dempo`s shock defeat in their last match against Viva Kerala has helped Title contenders Mahindra United to close the gap by one point. Both the teams have a good record at home and will be looking to collect full points. Under new coach Karim Bencherifa, Salgaocar have proved to be a difficult team to play against but they only managed to draw their last two games. Both those results came against teams from the bottom half so this game against leaders Dempo will be Salgaocar?s biggest test since the appointment of the Moroccan. Dempo’s title challenge suffered a huge blow in the last round as they went down 0-1 against Viva in Kerala. Armando Colaco?s side failed to score outside Goa for the first time this term and their lead at the top was reduced to one point. All three of Salgaocar?s wins have come in Goa and they have picked four points from three local derbies. Dempo have got the same number of points from Goan derby matches so they will be determined to improve that record by beating Salgaocar. The former league champions are unbeaten in their last two but both games were against Viva Kerala and J C T so Bencherifa will know that his side have to keep improving. The partnership of Ekene Ikenwa and Manjou Keita is getting better with every game but the duo must aim to be more prolific in front of goal. Defensively, Salgaocar have been decent with Luciano Sabrosa in fine form. The midfield has to rise to cut off the supply line of the free flowing Dempo`s midfield. Salgaocar`s coach Karim Bencharifa has a full squad to choose and will be looking to take advantage of Dempo`s shock defeat against Viva Kerala to collect full points to move above the drop zone. PTI