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The Indian Super League leaders Atletico de Kolkata host the Delhi Dynamos at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata today. Kolkata had a brilliant start to the tournament, winning their first two games and keeping a clean sheet in both. Former Liverpool star Luis Garcia and Ethiopian international Fikru have been the key players for the Kolkata outfit.
Delhi Dynamos had a quiet start to the tournament after they played a goalless draw against FC Pune City at the Jawahar Lal Nehru stadium in New Delhi. Italian international Alessandro Del Piero is expected to start against Atletico de Kolkata.
Venue & Kick-off
Salt Lake stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in the city of Kolkata. It is the biggest stadium in India and second biggest in the whole of Asia, boasting of a capacity of 1,20,000. The capacity has been reduced to 68,000 after the installation of bucket seats.
Kick-off: October 19 – 4:30 PM (IST)
Possible starting line-ups
Atletico De Kolkata (4-2-3-1): Subhashish Roy Chowdhury; Denzil Franco, Sylvain Monsoreau, Arnab Mondal, Biswajit Saha; José Miguel González Rey, Ofentse Nato, Sanju Pradhan, Jakub Podaný, Luis Garcia; Fikru Teferra
After not making any changes in their starting XI against North East United, coach Antonio López Habas will have to find a suitable replacement for Borja Fernandez after he was sent off against North East United for picking up two yellow cards. Former Liverpool player Josemi might be an interesting choice to fill in the midfield role in the absence of Borja Fernandez.
Former Lyon and Monaco defender Sylvain Monsoreau might get a chance at the heart of the defence. Indian veteran Climax Lawrence and Mamunul Islam are the other alternatives if Habas wants a direct replacement for Borja Fernandez.
Having played on Thursday against North East United, Kolkata might want to rest a few players, with the conditions not particularly pleasant for the players. Czech footballer Jakub Podaný might be given a chance after he came on as a late substitute against North East United to score a goal. Indian international Sanju Pradhan might replace Baljit Singh Sahni in the starting XI.
Delhi Dymanos(4-3-3): Kristof van Hout; Naoba Singh, Raymaekers, Ali, Shouvik Ghosh;Fernandes, Mulder, Steven Dias; Junker, Del Piero, Gustavo Santos
Alessandro Del Piero is expected to make his first start for Delhi Dynamos today. Brazilian Gustavo Santos should replace Bruno Herrero in the starting XI, after he produced moments of brilliance against FC Pune City. Mads Junker and Del Piero linked up well and Delhi Dynamos will be once again expecting them to continue to do so if they are hoping to take anything out of this game against the high flying Atletico de Kolkata.
Steven Dias, known as the ‘David Beckham of India’, will be hoping to get a game under his belt. The defence is expected to remain the same after they kept a clean sheet against FC Pune City.
Key Battles
Luis Garcia vs Wim Raymaekers
While most of the marquee players have disappointed till now, Luis Garcia has been instrumental in his side’s consecutive wins. The former Liverpool player has been in fine form and has produced key passes for Atletico de Kolkata in the middle of the park. Garcia has two assists to his name and has formed a formidable partnership with Fikru. FC Pune City centre-back Wim Raymaekers will have to be alert if he wishes to keep the Kolkata skipper silent.
Alessandro Del Piero vs Arnab Mondal
It's only a matter of time before Italian legend Del Piero starts banging in goals. He didn't start against FC Pune City, but he was brought on as an early substitute in the first half by coach Harm van Veldhoven. Del Piero also bagged the Man of the Match award after his brilliant performance, but the former Juventus star failed to score.
Indian international Arnab Mondal has been rock solid for Atletico de Kolkata in the first two games and he will be hoping to carry on his form against World Cup and Champions League winner Alessandro Del Piero.
Prediction
Atletico de Kolkata 3-1 Delhi Dynamos
