PTI

SILIGURI: A depleted East Bengal defence would brighten the prospects of Dempo, who are in sublime form as the top two teams of the last I-League season square-off in the 34^th  Federation Cup final here on Sunday at 6.30 p.m. (Live telecast on  DD Sports).

">East Bengal would have to pay the price of their hard-fought win against Churchill Bros tomorrow as both centre-backs Uga Okpara and Gurwinder Singh would miss out having earned double bookings.

With Okpara not manning the centre of defence, Dempo's strikers Joaquim Abranches and Koko Sakibo, who are peaking at the right time, would look to breach the red-and-gold's fort.

Armando Colaco has only one foreigner in Sakibo as Japanese recruit Ryuji Sueoka is indisposed.

Edeh Chidi and youngster Manandeep Singh will lead the Bengal attack, while Orji Penn would man the midfield.  Mercurial Mehtab Hossain would be the chief playmaker.

Eyeing their seventh title, Bengal captain Sanju Pradhan would also play a key role.