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Back on home turf after four consecutive games on their travels, Chennaiyin FC will be looking to put an end to a stop-start campaign so far, and embark on a winning streak, starting with the game against high-flying FC Pune City at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai.
Chennaiyin opened their campaign wth losses against Atletico de Kolkata and Delhi Dynamos but seemed to have got going after that, with two convincing victories against FC Goa and Mumbai City FC. That run, though, was halted in their last game at Guwahati as two late goals condemned them to a 2-0 defeat against NorthEast United.
In contrast, Pune have nine points from their first four games, which incidentally, were all played at home. The reverse against Delhi Dynamos notwithstanding, David Platt’s side have played good football so far. But this will be a different test for Pune as they play their first game away from Balewadi, for this season. Platt asserted that Pune were raring to go and that home advantage counted for little in the ISL.
Kickoff and Telecast Details
Kickoff: 24th October 2015, 1900 hrs IST
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai
Live Telecast: Star Sports 2, 3 and Star Sports HD2, HD3
Live Stream: starsports.com
Team News
Both Chennaiyin and Pune have fully fit squads to choose from. However, Chennaiyin will miss the services of influential midfielder Harmanjot Singh Khabra, who will serve a ban after having picked up a red card in their last game against NorthEast United. Chennaiyin made wholesale changes to the starting lineup in Guwahati and paid the price for it.
But, assistant coach Vivek Nagul justified the decision of not starting with either Elano or John Stiven Mendoza, saying that it was important to ensure every player had enough rest. Bernard Mendy echoed similar thoughts, saying that Chennaiyin suffered because of injuries to both Elano and Mendoza last year and that they wanted to be a bit more cautious this time.
Jayesh Rane has played three games on the trot, and although he has impressed, it is likely that the Mumbai lad will be rested, especially since he looked to have taken a knock to his right ankle, which was strapped even during the team’s pre-match training session.
Khabra’s place in the starting eleven will probably be taken by Thoi Singh, who has put in impressive displays for Chennaiyin so far. Also, having sat out the last game, both Elano and Mendoza are likely to start.
Like Nagul, Platt also stressed the need for rotation, given the intensity of the league, and the hot and humid conditions at most venues. Platt was hugely impressed with Chennai lad Dharmaraj Ravanan, who he said was a highly useful player with a fantastic mentality.
The Englishman was little more coy when asked about possible changes, but he was extremely happy to have the services of the likes of Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Jackichand Singh.
Probable Lineups
Chennaiyin FC (4-4-2 Diamond): Apoula Edel, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Mailson Alves, Bernard Mendy, Dhanachandra Singh, Raphael Augusto, Thoi Singh, Godwin Franco, Elano Blumer, John Stiven Mendoza, Jeje Lalpekhlua
FC Pune City (4-3-3): Steve Simonsen, Pritam Kotal, Roger Johnson, Diego Colotto, Nicky Shorey, James Bailey, Lenny Rodrigues, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Jackichand Singh, Israil Gurung, Tuncay Sanli
Key Battles
John Stiven Mendoza v Diego Colotto
Colotto has been a rock at the heart of Pune’s defense, and in many ways has taken up the mantle of being the leader of the rearguard. Mendoza’s importance to Chennaiyin cannot be overstated. He has scored 5 of their 8 goals so far, and his pace is a threat to worry any opposition.
What has stood out for Mendoza is his ability to complement his pace with composure in front of goal. Colotto will have his task cut out, but as he has shown so far in the tournament, it is a task that he is more than capable of performing.
Elano v James Bailey & Lenny Rodrigues
The Brazilian marquee player is the main creative source for Chennaiyin and cutting out the supply from him will go a large way in helping Pune to shut Chennaiyin out. Elano has an ability to see a pass, and weigh his balls perfectly, so Bailey and Lenny will always have to be on their toes, ensuring that they are snapping at Elano’s heels, and not give him too much time on the ball. Failing that, Elano could really make Pune pay.
Prediction
Chennaiyin FC 2-1 FC Pune City
Two evenly matched teams, with one in slightly better form. But as Pune manager David Platt said, form is still not a factor at this stage of the tournament, and Chennaiyin are a side that will worry Pune. With Chennaiyin coming back to their home turf after three weeks, they will be keen to redeem themselves, having lost their only previous home game on the opening day to Kolkata. Chennaiyin could just edge this by the odd goal in three.
