Dempo must win and hope Salgoacar drop points

PUNE: Going into their last three league games, reigning I-League champions Dempo's task is as clear as they would like it to be - win all three games over the next five days with a good margin and hope that league leaders Salgaocar SC (53 points from 25 games) slip up against JCT on Monday.
Sounds simple but it isn't, because Dempo are up against Pune FC who might just derail the Goan outfit's ambitions at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Mhalunge-Balewadi, on Friday evening.But more pertinent question is whether Pune FC, brilliant one day and woeful on the other, can burst Dempo's bubble.
"We haven't been consistent this season, but on our day, we can certainly overpower any opposition," said Pune FC coach Derrick Pereira, who is brutally honest about his team's evaluation. "We have our sights set on a top-five finish and to achieve that, we need to win all our games regardless of the opposition. We have the potential. We just need to bring it out," added Pereira, whose side is seventh in the table with 30 points from 24 games.
The hosts go into the game with two major concerns - they could miss striker Edmar Figueira (hamstring injury) while left wing back Gurjinder Kumar is out with a double booking. Subhash Singh, who is on loan from Salgaocar SC, is likely to step into Edmar's shoes.
Central defender Selwyn Fernandes and midfielder Izumi Arata, who missed a 1-1 draw against Mumbai FC due to double bookings, will return to the fold. And that's good news for Pune FC.
Visitors Dempo have no such issues. The Pune FC back four, who have looked a little shaky this season, will have to deal with Brazilian Beto. Besides Beto, Pune FC defenders could have their hands full with Dempo's Nigerian striker Ranti Martins, who will be itching to add to his goal tally (20 goals).