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After a hard-fought win in their first home game, FC Pune City are ready to host the season 2 champions Chennaiyin FC in their second home game of ISL 2017 at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium.
FC Pune City will surely be eyeing to continue their winning momentum and complete a hat-trick of wins for the first time in ISL. However, they are up against a team that they have never defeated in ISL history and will surely like to change this unwanted record and claim the top spot in the league standings tonight.
On the other side, Chennaiyin FC are coming into their first away game on the back of a 3-0 victory over the Highlanders at home. They will definitely look to continue their unbeaten record against FC Pune City tonight.
Let’s see what both sides have to offer in this game.
FC Pune City
FC Pune City head coach Ranko Popovic would like to forget their past performances against Chennaiyin FC and motivate his players to perform freely in front of their home fans. The Serbian coach knows the attacking prowess of the Stallions and believes in the theory of attack is the best defence.
The Stallions are not expected to change their winning combination from last game. Popovic is expected to field his side in the 4-2-3-1 formation to keep the balance between attack and defence. However, Baljit Singh is starting in defence but used as a floater according to situation.
FC Pune City Probable Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Kamaljit, Gurtej, Lopez, Fanai, Tebar, Issac, Rohit, Baljit, Carlos, Marcelinho, Alfaro.
Chennaiyin FC
The Chennai gaffer John Gregory is pretty much aware of Pune’s form and the threat of the Marcelinho-Alfaro combination and has accepted that during the pre-match press briefing. The Englishman backed the Indian international Jeje Lalpekhlua’s techniques and assured everyone that he will be back on scoresheet against his opponent tonight.
We are not expecting him to make any alteration to the winning combination from last game. Gregory is expected to field his side in the 4-4-1-1 formation with Augusto playing upfront right behind Jeje. The only possible change that may happen is that of Thoi Singh replacing Bikramjit Singh in the midfield.
Chennaiyin FC Probable Starting XI (4-4-1-1): Karanjit, Claderon, Sereno, Mailson, Jerry, Bikramjit, Dhanpal, Francisco, Augusto, Nelson, Jeje.
Prediction:
FC Pune City 3-1 Chennaiyin
We are expecting FC Pune City to continue their goal-riot against the season 2 champions and register their first ever victory against them. A win will also take them to the top of the ISL 2017 points table.
