Already without left-back Parvez Babu who was shown the red card in the eventful last fixture, Brothers, who surrendered a 1-0 lead with just 14 minutes to go, have serious concerns regarding their ace striker and the league's top goal-getter Victor Edward who was reportedly a '50-50' possibility. The Russian had trained in the morning yesterday but club officials said he later complained of an old injury in the ribs which could sideline him.

"Victor has been suffering from a rib injury. Right at the moment his chances do not look good but we will wait till the last minute because he is a vital player for us," said Brothers' manager Amer Khan last night without elaborating.

The grudge match between the two bitter rivals will kick off at 5pm at the Bangabandhu National Stadium and the game would go into extra time and even tiebreaker if needed for a result.

Although there is considerable excitement across the country about this championship decider, the state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar have shown an indifferent attitude towards arranging live coverage.

The play-off became necessary after Brothers and Mohammedan finished joint atop in the table with 39 points each when their second leg clash, which incidentally was also the final scheduled fixture of the season, ended in tie at the same venue on Friday.

Mohammedan's saviour that night was Bangladesh international playmaker Matiur Munna who again showed his passion for big games with a 76th minute equaliser. Munna's strike was his third in a row following the two against Muktijoddha in the match before. Brothers begrudgingly accepted Munna's goal where he evaded an off-side trap but were livid at the red card to Babu. But Mohammedan had no such bitterness from that encounter and the mood in the Black and White camp appeared more relaxed ahead of the big day.

"It is nothing unusual for a player of Munna's calibre to rise to big occasions and we are hoping that he will end this magnificent run of his in great style. But we have to play the match as a team to be successful," said Mohammedan coach Kazi Jasimuddin Joshi.

Joshi was however disappointed that he will not be able to call on midfielders Arman Aziz and Khokon Das due to suspension and injury.

"Midfield is our most vulnerable area and their absence is a real setback for us. But the good news is that striker Manju is likely to play although he is not fully fit."

Captain Alfaz Ahmed said that they have to be calm under pressure to come up with a victory.

"Most of our players have no experience of playing such an important match in front of a huge crowd. How they handle the atmosphere and the occasion would decide our fate."

Brothers coach Wajed Gazi was still ruing the non-availability of Babu.

"It is very difficult to replace Babu who has had a brilliant season. But my message to the players will be to remain cool on the pitch. We lost our composure in the last game because some of the players got all worked up with certain refereeing decisions," said the veteran coach who is at the threshold of tasting a Premier League title for the first time in his long coaching career.