ISL 2017/18, Match 55: FC Pune City vs Jamshedpur FC, Probable XI

FC Pune City are all set to host Jamshedpur FC in their seventh home game of the ISL 2017/18 at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium in Pune. The high-flying Stallions had edged out Jamshedpur FC in their earlier encounter by one goal to nil and they will aim for a bigger victory this time around.

FC Pune City are currently 3rd in the league standings with six wins, but their performance at home has been a major concern. They have lost four games so far in the season and three of those were at home. They have conceded eight goals while playing at home, which is 72.7% of their total goals conceded in the season.

FC Pune City seem to be working to improve this record as they have scored eight goals in last two home games without conceding a single goal and will hope to continue in a similar manner. They also have a chance to claim the top spot in the league standings for the first time in ISL 2017/18.

On the other side, Jamshedpur FC have finally managed to climb to the fifth spot in the points table with two consecutive wins and they will aim for a hat-trick tonight. More importantly, they are finally managing to find the back of the net as they have scored at least one goal in each of their last four games. Jamshedpur have scored 80% of their goals this season in last four games and will aim to continue their fine form.

FC Pune City

FC Pune City head coach Ranko Popovic will be making his return to the technical area tonight. He believes that Jamshedpur are playing a very compact game and termed them a tough nut to crack.

With Ashique Kuruniyan not available for selection due to injury, we are expecting winter signing Stankovic making his first start. Fanai is set to replace Jonatan Lucca and Sahil will be drafted in the starting XI. Popovic is most likely to continue his favoured formation of 4-2-3-1 to dominate the midfield.

FC Pune City Probable Starting XI: Kaith, Lopez, Adil, Gurtej, Fanai, Rohit, Jewel Raja, Stankovic, Carlos, Marcelinho, Alfaro.

Jamshedpur FC

Jamshedpur FC head coach Steve Coppell believes FC Pune City are a strong side with one of the best-attacking players in the league and his boys have to work really hard to stop them. He accepted the fact that his team doesn’t play dominating football and believes more on hitting the opposition on the counter.

Jamshedpur have a chance to equal FC Pune City and FC Goa in the points table with a win and they would like to grab the opportunity tonight. We are not expecting any changes in the starting XI after winning back-to-back games. He will most likely to continue with the traditional 4-1-4-1 formation to keep a balance in attack and defence.

Jamshedpur FC Probable Starting XI: Subrata, Bikey, Raju, Tiri, Souvik, Priori, Memo, Jairu, Jerry, Biswas, Azuka.

Prediction

FC Pune City 3-1 Jamshedpur FC

FC Pune City are most likely to dominate the proceedings and register their third back-to-back home win tonight at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune. This will also help them to claim the top spot in the league table for the first time.