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The Season 2 champions, Chennaiyin FC are ready to host the defending champions, Atletico de Kolkata at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in their third home game of the season on Thursday. Chennaiyin FC are coming here on the back of consecutive wins in their last two games, while ATK are still searching for their first victory in ISL 2017.
Chennaiyin have scored 5 goals in their first two home games and will surely look to continue that form tonight at the Marina Arena. More importantly, they have also managed to keep a clean sheet in their last two games.
ATK, on the other hand, are struggling to find their first win of this season. They have played two goalless draws away from home and faced a big 4-1 defeat against FC Pune City at home. The Kolkata-based club is currently at the bottom of the ISL 2017 points table and will surely look to improve that tonight by taking home all 3 points.
Let’s see what both sides have to offer in this match:
Chennaiyin FC
The Chennaiyin coach, John Gregory seems to be quite happy with the efforts of his side so far this season. The Marina Machas will go on the pitch with full confidence tonight as a victory here will take them to the top of the ISL 2017 points table. The Englishman is quite aware of his counterpart,Teddy Sheringham from his days with Manchester United as player.
Gregory is not expected to make any changes in the starting XI as he seemed to be quite satisfied with the side after their first game. He will most probably continue the 4-4-1-1 formation, which allows more attacking opportunities to Raphael Augusto.
Chennaiyin FC Probable Starting XI: Karanjit, Claderon, Sereno, Mailson, Jerry, Nelson, Dhanpal, Bikramjit, Francisco, Augusto, Jeje.
Atletico de Kolkata
The defending champions will surely like to quickly get back to winning ways. The ATK head coach, Teddy Sheringham was quite upset with his side’s performance in the first three games, where their only goal came through a set-piece. He seemed to be quite happy at the defensive part but believes that his side needs to convert the opportunities into a goal.
With injury to key players, he might have to make a couple of changes in the side. Augustine Fernandez might get his first start of ISL 2017 in place of Jordi and Kuqi is expected to replace the injured Lyngdoh. He is expected to continue with the traditional 4-4-2 formation.
Atletico de Kolkata Probable Starting XI: Jessi, Thorpe, Augustin, Prabir, Keegan, Thomas, Hitesh, Bipin, Zequinha, Robin, Kuqi.
Prediction
Chennaiyin FC 2-1 Atletico de Kolkata
The defending champions, ATK might have to wait for some more time for their first victory in ISL 2017 as Chennaiyin FC are looking as quite a balanced unit as of now and will be hard to stop for the defending champions.
