ISL 2015: Atletico de Kolkata vs Chennaiyin FC - Preview, Live stream & TV channel info, Team News, Prediction

Defending champions Atletico de Kolkata, who are fourth in the Indian Super League standings, host bottom-placed Chennaiyin FC at the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday. Atletico de Kolkata came close to winning their last game away to Delhi Dynamos, but that game ended in a draw while Chennaiyin FC suffered a home defeat against NorthEast United in their last game. In the reverse fixture, Atletico beat Chennaiyin FC 3-2 in the first game of the season in Chennai.

Atletico de Kolkata, who play last their four group stage games at home, have signed Spanish midfielder Jorge Alonso Martin as a replacement for the injured Javi Lara.

Kickoff and Live Telecast

Live Telecast: Star Sports 2 & 3, Star Sports HD2 & HD3

Live Streaming: starsports.com

Date and Time: 18 November 2015 – 19:00 IST

Venue: Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata

Team News

Marquee signing Helder Postiga is yet to return to full fitness, but according to Atletico de Kolkata boss Antonio Habas he might play a part against Chennaiyin. Arata Izumi, who didn’t play any part in the last game, is expected to start having scored 4 goals so far in the tournament. Dejan Lekic, who was signed as a replacement for Josemi, might also get his first start replacing Valdo. Habas might shift to his favoured back four of Rino Anto, Ofentse Nato, Tiri and Augustin Fernandes.

As for the visitors, there are no new injury concerns, which means Stiven Mendoza starts up front, with marquee signing Elano just behind him. The back four of Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Mailson Alves, Bernard Mendy and Dhanachandra Singh is likely to be retained despite recent poor performances. Raphael Augusto and Thoi Singh are expected to start in the middle of the park.

Probable starting XIs

Atletico de Kolkata: Amrinder, Anto, Nato, Tiri, Fernandes, Borja, Raja, Baljit, Gavilan, Hume, Lekic

Chennaiyin FC: Bete, Wadoo, Alves, Mendy, Singh, Augusto, Thoi Singh, Elano, Balwant Singh, Mendoza, Franco

Key battles

Iain Hume vs Bernard Mendy

Iain Hume is the most fouled player in the Indian Super League and Chennaiyin have a knack of conceding penalties. They might concede one again if they aren’t cautious against him. The 32-year-old is in a run of goalscoring form, having found the back of the net in the last game against Delhi Dynamos taking his season tally to 4 goals. Bernard Mendy might find it difficult to contain him, but has to be careful while keeping him in check.

Tiri vs Stiven Mendoza

Stiven Mendoza has scored six goals so far in the tournament and is the joint top goal scorer with Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri. The Colombian’s pace and trickery can be a constant threat for any team. Atletico Madrid youth academy product Tiri has so far impressed for Atletico de Kolkata in the absence of former Liverpool defender Josemi and has been the only bright side in the Atletico defence that have failed to keep a single clean sheet till now.

Prediction

Atletico de Kolkata have found it difficult to get the points at home, and a draw is a likely result against Chennaiyin FC.

Predicted score: Atletico de Kolkata 1-1 Chennaiyin FC