CALICUT: Mahindra United will be on tenterhooks to return to the top of the ONGC I-League when they face Viva Kerala on Monday in Round 17 at the EMS Stadium, Calicut.

Their English coach, David Booth, is aware of the recent impressive run by Viva Kerala and is looking forward to end it. The Indian Red Devils have no less than half a dozen Kerala players in their ranks, including the Indian nationals N P Pradeep and Mohammed Rafi. The team is captained by former Indian international Krishnan Nair Ajayan. Former Viva Kerala star and Kerala footballer of the year Justin Stephen and the versatile midfielder Sushanth Mathew will also play for visitors while winger Aseem K is out injured.

Mohammed Rafi and his strike partner Subair Muritala Ali from Nigeria have 22 goals between them with the foreigner scoring 12 of them. They are expected to cause havoc in the Viva Kerala defence with the support of Steven Dias and Paresh Shivalkar. Other exports of the team include Senegalese defender Lamin Tamba and Serbian midfielder Svetozar Mijin who has the experience of playing in the Romanian league and the Champions League.

The home team will be giving everything they have to extend their unbeaten run in the league to four matches. They had earlier held Mahindra to an exciting 1-1 draw at the Cooperage.

Bello Razaq is back after suspension and will partner Charles Dzisah at the centre of the defence. KP Anish is most likely to play up front with forward Reuben Senyo and Sirajuddeen will take his place at the middle of the park after recovering from injuries.

Mahindra United have 29 points while Dempo have gone up the table with 32 points after defeating Churchill Brothers in the Goan derby. They can retain their top spot if they beat Viva Kerala, thanks to a better goal difference for the Mumbai side, but Viva would indeed be a tough nut to crack.