Chennaiyin FC and Atletico de Kolkata will both fancy a crack at the title this season, with one team impressing in the league phase last season, while the other was efficient and precise en route to the title. A taste of how good these teams actually are will be given in the opening match of the Indian Super League 2015, which takes place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Saturday.
With an Opening Ceremony and more expected to welcome the new season of the ISL, the players of both teams will be under pressure to perform, making this match all the more interesting.
Chennaiyin will go into the match as the slightly favoured side, owing largely to the fact that they will be playing at home.
Last season, Marco Materazzi's men were one of the best attacking units of the ISL, and with Atletico de Kolkata expected to pose a stiff defence again, expect this match to probably be decided by the odd goal.
However, that does not mean no entertainment. The key to this opening match of ISL 2015 will probably be an early goal. Matches, and how entertaining they are, are so often decided by that early goal. If Chennaiyin FC, for instance, score in the first 10-15 minutes of the ISL 2015 match, it will force Atletico de Kolkata to come out and equalise, which will then, naturally, open up the match considerably.
The ISL, sometimes, gave exciting football last season, but there were a fair few games as well, when the attack on show was nearly non-existent. To avoid that "Oh there is nothing much happening here" feeling, both Chennaiyin and Atletico de Kolkata need to put up an attacking show worthy of the opening match of the Indian Super League.
"We have had good preparations for this season, much better than last season, and I am hopeful of a good show," Chennaiyin FC manager Marco Materazzi said.
Something that Atletico de Kolkata will have to deal with all season is the "defending champions" tag. With that tag comes pressure and expectation.
While that pressure will be there on Antonio Lopez Habas to get his Atletico de Kolkata team, filled with strikers of the ilk of Helder Postiga and Iain Hume, playing some exciting football, the one thing the Spaniard does not want repeated is that "defending champions" tag, because he believes this is a brand-new season, and should be treated as such.
"I don't want to talk us about being 'defending champions'. The past is the past," Habas said. "I would much rather talk about every game, and us winning every game, with the three points that comes with it, day by day.
"We have a competitive game ahead. Now, we have to get a competitive team. I want the team to perform well, stay disciplined and show commitment."
Where to Watch Live
Get the results and report HERE
Read about how a dog stole the show in the match HERE
Get the Live Blog and Updates HERE
Get the Opening Ceremony report HERE
Chennaiyin FC vs Atletico de Kolkata is scheduled for a 7 pm IST (2.30 pm BST, 9.30 am ET) start, with live TV coverage in India on Star Sports 1, Star Sports HD1, Star Sports 2, Star Sports HD2, Star Sports 3, Star Sports HD3, Star Gold, Star Utsav (both Hindi), Jalsha Movies (Bengali), Jaya Max (Tamil) and Asianet Movies (Malayalam) and Suvarna TV (Kannada).
The opening match of ISL 2015 can also be watched via live streaming online on Hotstar and Starsports.com.
Viewers in the US and Australia can watch Chennai vs Kolkata live on Fox Sports, while the online live stream option is on Foxsoccer2go and Foxtel. Audience in Canada can watch the Indian Super League 2015 game live on CBN and ATN.
Eurosport is the place to be if viewers in Europe and South East Asia want to watch Chennaiyin FC vs Atletico de Kolkata live, while the match can also be live streamed on Eurosport Player.
Viewers in the UK can watch ISL 2015 Match 1 live on Star Gold, while Middle East and North Africa viewers can catch the action live on OSN, with the live streaming option on OSN Play.
