Despite having a six-point lead in the Citycell B. League table, leaders Abahani are not going to relax when they face Brothers Union in today's heavyweight clash at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Brothers may have crashed out of the title race but the Gopibagh outfit still believe they have a golden chance to finish runners-up.

And memories of their 2-0 win over Amalesh Sen's defending champions in the first leg will boost them, commented Brothers manager Amer Khan ahead of the return-leg match.

Abahani, with 41 points from 17 games, need just four points to seal their second successive professional league trophy as nearest rivals Mohammedan and Sheikh Russel are both level on 35 points.

And the Sky-Blues target full three points before going into their top-of-the-table date with Russel, said Abahani manager Satyajit Das Rupu yesterday.

"We can’t relax because if we want to maintain the gap (with Mohammedan and Russel), we have to win," the former national midfielder said.

"We are not yet champions and to retain the title, we have to keep the pressure on the opponents. This is also a match of revenge for us. If we beat all the teams and win the trophy, it would be wonderful," said Rupu, whose inform side have conceded just one goal --against archrivals Mohammedan — in the previous eight matches since the defeat to Brothers on the first day of December.

Ghanaian defender Samad Yussif and midfielder Mamun, both on two yellow cards,

were rested in the last game but return today but Abahani may miss holding midfielder Joy, who limped off the ground their 1 -0 win against Muktijoddha last week.

"If Joy does not fully recover, we will not risk him. Our strength is in the bench and we can field an almost equal side even if we miss a vital player," added Rupu.

"We are going to play positive because we don't want to lose the position we have reached after hard work."

Brothers, who were only four points behind Abahani at the end of the first-leg, gradually bowed out of the big stage and Amer Khan blames'badluck'.

"We have played good football but the way our forwards missed the chances, it is really painful," said the former Brothers player, whose side had a visit from national team's new Brazilian coach Edson Dido Silva during their yesterday's training.

The Oranges had too many draws - - seven in 16 games, admits Amer saying that the most crucial were draws against lowlyArambagh and Muktijoddha in both legs.

"In fact, not only the strikers, but our midfield has also failed to score. We missed Nigerian player Divine in the midfield and the defence also made silly mistakes, especially in the Mohammedan match.

"Still, if we win our remaining four games, we will finish on 40 points and have very good chance to clinch the second spot."

Brothers will have their playmaker Matiur Munna, the national captain, back after missing the last match through injury and will field a full side to make life as tough as possible for Abahani.

As it had happened often in the past, everyone can expect a good match if both the giants keep their promises.