Defending champions Bangladesh and two-time winners India face off for the 20th time when the regional soccer rivals meet in a Group B match in the SAFF Championship here today.

The match will kick off at 7pm (Bangladesh time) at the People's Sports Complex Stadium. In the day's earlier match, Nepal will take on Bhutan in their final appearances in the eight-team meet.

Both Bangladesh and India have

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reached the last four from this group and the holders need a draw to finish group champions as they are ahead in goal difference. Bangladesh have beaten Bhutan 30 and Nepal 2-0 while India go into the final group game with a 2-1 win over Nepal and a 3-0 defeat of Bhutan.

The two sides last met in the semifinals of the Third SAFF Championship in Dhaka in 2003 with the hosts winning that 2-1, thanks to a spectacular golden goal by Matiur Munna.

India, however, have a more impressive head-to-head record between the two with nine victories against three losses in their previous 19 internationals.

Bangladesh's other wins against their neighbours came in the 1999 SAF Games semifinal in Kathmandu when they won 1-0 and in the 1991 SAF Games in Colombo when they beat India 2-1 . Previously, the two had met on Pakistani soil in the 1989 SAF Games and the match ended in a 11 draw.