After a rather subdued opening day of the ISL 2016, the two biggest clubs in the history of the competition face off for the seventh time in the third season of the league.

Atlético de Kolkata, with a new coach in Jose Molina, and Chennaiyin FC have won the two inaugural seasons of the league with the latter prevailing over the Kolkata side in a tense semi-final tie last season, and then going on to win the final against FC Goa.

The Super Machans will look to get their title defence off to a strong start with manager Marco Materazzi having lost his two highest goalscorers, Elano and John Stiven Mendoza. In the absence of these two, the bulk of the goalscoring responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Jeje Lalpekhlua and new signing Davide Succi.

Materazzi, in his third season as Chennaiyin coach, has also opted for stability and consistency with most of last year's Indian contingent retained. The fullbacks, Mehrajuddin Wadoo and Nallapan Mohanraj, were two of their most influential players last season. and will be expected to bomb forward and support the star-studded attack.

John Arne Riise, Chennaiyin's marquee may start at centre-back next to Bernard Mendy, in his third season at the club.

All eyes will be on ATK's marquee player, Helder Postiga, who will spearhead the home team's attack after scoring a brace on the opening day in a 3-2 win against the same opposition, only to not feature for the rest of the campaign, missing out due to injury.

Iain Hume, Kolkata's top scorer last season with 11, will play behind Postiga and will look to strike up a good understanding with the Portuguese striker. Winger Sameehg Doutie, who wrecked havoc with his runs last season, will run down the flanks along with Indian international Bikash Jairu.

Atlético's 3-0 loss to Chennaiyin in the first leg of last year's semi-final will be at the back of their mind as they seek their fourth win over the southern club.

Match Facts

Venue: Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, Kolkata

Capacity: 26,000

Time: 7 pm IST

Last meeting: Atlético de Kolkata 2 - 1 Chennaiyin FC, December 16, 2015, at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata

Head-to-head: Matches played: 6. Atlético wins: 3, Chennaiyin wins: 1, Draws: 2

Key Battles

Arnab Mondal vs Jeje Lalpekhlua: Mondal, centre-back for the Indian national team will go up against international team-mate, Jeje Lalpekhlua, who has been in fine form for India, notching seven goals in his last seven games.

Mondal, who is also a part of a resurgent Indian team, is a highly intelligent defender and will look to contain Jeje, known to play on the shoulder of the last defender.

Iain Hume vs Bernand Mendy: Hume is a deadly marksman and the second highest scorer in the history of the Premier League with 16 goals to his name. The Canadian likes to drop deep and link up with the main striker as well.

Mendy, an ever-present in the ISL for Chennaiyin, is an excellent header of the ball and is a vocal defender, known for his leadership. He will have his hands full with Hume, whose pace is a very direct threat to the Chennaiyin defence.

Squads

Atlético de Kolkata: Shilton Paul, Debjit Majumder, Dani Mallo Castro, Tiri, Arnab Mondal, Pritam Kotal, Kinshuk Debnath, Prabir Das, Pablo Gallardo, Robert Lalthlamuana, Borja Fernandez, Ofentse Nato, Javier 'Javi' Lara Grande, Sameehg Doutie, Stephen Pearson, Bikash Jairu, Bikramjit Singh, Lalrindika Ralte, Sheikh Jewel Raja, Abhinash Ruidas, Bidyananda Singh, Helder Postiga, Iain Hume, Juan Belencoso

Chennaiyin FC: Karanjit Singh, Pawan Kumar, Duwayne Kerr, Bernard Mendy, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Nallappan Mohanraj, Eli Sabia, Eder Monterio, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Abhishek Das, John Arne Riise, Baljit Sahni, Hans Mulder, Manuele Blasi, Thoi Singh, Raphael Augusto, Harmanjot Singh Khabra, Dhanpal Ganesh, Davide Succi, Maurizio Peluso, Bedashwor Singh, Uttam Rai, Jeje Lalpekhlua