Pune, Jan 13 (IANS) Pune FC will be hoping another stellar performance from Jeje Lalpeklua and Lester Fernandes when they face East Bengal in the 14th round of the I-League at the Balewadi Sports Complex here Saturday.

Lalpekhlua and Fernandes played a key role in beating Mohun Bagan 2-1 at home 10 days back. The win against Mohun Bagan took Pune FC to fifth place in the table.

“It was a very important win for us. Excellent teamwork and good effort from entire team which finally helped keep aside the pre-match pressure of doing well against a good team,” Pune FC coach Derrick Pereira said after the Bagan match.

East Bengal, who had an early practice Friday, were upbeat about Saturday’s match. With 26 points from 13 matches and currently occupying the third position, the Kolkata giants will not be taking the home team lightly, given their latest exploits.

Jeje had started against Mohun Bagan from bench, but Pereira put him in early on and that paid the dividends as the striker scored the equalizer to Odafa Okolie’s early strike.

Pune FC lacked the killer instinct without Jeje, who has been kept extremely busy representing his club and country consistently.

The experience of playing against Bayern Munich in the Bhaichung Bhutia Farewell Match this week will stand in good stead for Jeje, but then he hasn’t had as much rest as other team members had after the sparkling show against Mohun Bagan, January 3.

“It’s an open league so far and you will never know. Many teams are really fighting for the title. The first leg showed that the difference between teams is minimal and the team that wants it more on the day will win,” said Pereira.

East Bengal has already defeated Pune 3-1 at Kolkata earlier in the season, but Pune FC haven’t lost in last five meetings, winning three and drawing two, while East Bengal won three, drew two and lost one.