ISL 2017/18, Match 46: Chennaiyin FC vs FC Pune City, Probable XI
Chennaiyin FC are all set to host the FC Pune City in their 6th home game of ISL 2017/18 at the Marina Arena aka Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai. Historically, Chennaiyin FC are undefeated against the Stallions having won five out of the seven head-to-head encounters between both sides, the rest have be draws.
Chennaiyin FC are currently at the second spot and would surely aim to claim the top spot once again with a victory against Pune. The Marina Machas are undefeated in the last four encounters, but have not managed to take home all three points in last two home games. They will surely like to establish their domination at home with a win against Pune.
FC Pune City will be aiming to break the Chennai jinx once and for all. Pune also have a chance to claim the top spot with a win over Chennai. The Stallions will look to continue their goal scoring form from the last couple of games as they have scored eight goals in the last three games. Overall, their tally of 18 goals in opposition net, is the joint second highest in the league after FC Goa.
The head coaches of both sides are serving the touchline suspension in the game and both teams will receive instructions from their assistant coaches.
Chennaiyin FC
Chennaiyin FC assistant coach Sabir Pasha seems quite happy with the attacking performance of the side. However, he is little bit concerned about his side leaking goals due to lack of focus in the dying minutes of the game. He believes that Pune is a tough team, but his side is ready to give their best to keep their domination intact over the Stallions.
Chennaiyin FC skipper Henrique Sereno is back from suspension to provide more stability to the defence. We are expecting Augusto and Sereno to replace Nelson and Dhana in the starting XI from previous game. Chennaiyin assistant coach is most likely to field his boys in 4-2-3-1 formation with Augusto playing as false 9.
Chennaiyin FC Probable Starting XI: Karanjit, Claderon, Mailson, Sereno, Jerry, Dhanpal, Germanpreet, Mihelic, Augusto, Francisco, Jeje.
FC Pune City
FC Pune City will also be guided by their assistant coach Vladica Grujic, who believes that Chennai are a very strong side specially at home and his boys are all set for this challenge. The Stallions worries have doubled now that their leading goal scorer Marcelinho is serving suspension due to accumulation of four yellow cards.
In absence of Marcelinho, Diego Carlos is most likely replace the leading goal scorer of Orange Army. The Stallions assistant coach is expected to field his side in 4-2-3-1 formation to control the game in the mid-field.
FC Pune City Probable Starting XI: Vishal, Sarthak, Lopez, Gurtej, Fanai, Adil, Tebar, Lucca, Kuruniyan, Carlos, Alfaro.
Prediction
Chennaiyin FC 3-1 FC Pune City
Chennaiyin FC are most likely to continue their domination over the Stallions and take home all three points. It is going to be very tough for FC Pune City to break the Chennaiyin defence in absence of their leading goal scorer Marcelinho.