Owen Coyle eyes a big win for Jamshedpur FC against his former side Chennaiyin FC

Marina Machans are unbeaten against Red Miners for seven games

The JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur gears up to host the Matchweek 10 fixtures of the Indian Super League, where home team Jamshedpur FC are set to lock horns with Chennaiyin FC in a thrilling clash in the Steel City.

The last time the Marina Machans were in Jamshedpur, they went on to score five goals against the Red Miners. But the tides have turned, and Owen Coyle now stands at the helm of the Red Miners. The last time Jamshedpur defeated Chennaiyin FC was back in 2022 during their Shield-winning season.

Since then, Aidy Boothroyd, Scott Cooper and Khalid Jamil came and departed, but everyone failed to get the better of the Marina Machans. But the former Burnley gaffer, Owen Coyle, does not operate on records and will be keen to clinch a big win against Chennaiyin FC in the upcoming game.

After a strong start to the season, Jamshedpur are winless in their last five games, and it will be a do-or-die encounter for the Red Miners to keep their title ambitions alive. On the other hand, Chennaiyin FC would look to extend its unbeaten streak to three in the next game.

The Stakes

Jamshedpur FC

After the first few matchweeks, it felt like Owen Coyle would replicate the 2022 Shield-winning campaign with the Red Miners in his second stint at the Steel City. Jamshedpur won every single one of their first four games and were fighting neck to neck with Mohun Bagan for the top spot.

But things have changed drastically for Jamshedpur FC as they now find themselves five points behind the top spot after a series of winless games. After drawing games against Mohun Bagan, Mumbai City and SC Delhi, Jamshedpur suffered an away defeat to Kerala Blasters in their most recent encounter.

With four games remaining in the league stage, Jamshedpur still have a slim chance of winning the Shield. Luckily, Jamshedpur will play their next four games at the Furnace, and the Scottish gaffer will be keen to make the most of the home advantage against Chennai next.

Chennaiyin FC

The two ISL champions have had a tough season so far after clinching just two wins in their first nine encounters. After suffering back-to-back defeats to East Bengal and Inter Kashi, the Marina Machans won against SC Delhi and played a goalless draw against Mohammedan in their most recent game.

Irfan Yadwad and Alberto Noguera have been the top performers for Chennaiyin so far. Scoring goals has been a concern for the Red Miners, and their failure to convert draws into wins has cost them massively. They have the lowest goals per match, clocking 0.7 goals in each game, in the tournament so far.

Clifford Miranda will be looking forward to continuing Chennaiyin’s dominance over Jamshedpur in the next game and extending the unbeaten streak to eight at the Furnce.

Team News

There are no injury concerns in the Chennaiyin FC camp, and Clifford Miranda will have a fully fit and available side to pick his best eleven.

Madih Talal’s fitness will be a concern for Jamshedpur FC in the upcoming game. Eze will be out after picking a red in the last game.

Head-to-head

Total Matches – 16

Jamshedpur FC wins – 03

Chennaiyin FC wins – 08

Draws – 05

Predicted Lineups

Jamshedpur FC (4-2-3-1) 

Albino Gomes (GK); Nikhil Barla, Pratik Chaudhari, Lazar Cirkovic, Mark Zo; Rei Tachikawa, Pronay Halder, Vincy, Nikola Stojanovic, Sanan; Messi B

Chennaiyin FC (4-4-2)

Nawaz (GK); Dinliana, Laldinpuia, Eduardo Kau, Imran Khan; Irfan Yadwad, Hnamte, Tongbram, Pereira; Daniel Chima Chukwu, Alberto Noguera

Players to watch out for

Lazar Cirkovic (Jamshedpur FC)

The Serbian defender will be tasked with the responsibility of marshalling the team’s defence in the absence of Nigerian centre back Stephen Eze, who picked up a red card in their previous outing against the Tuskers. The Serbian defender will be up against his former side, where he spent one season.

Cirkovic joined Jamshedpur last season and played a crucial role in propelling the Red Miners to the semi-finals last season. But so far, in this season, he has failed to play the entirety of ninety minutes in any game. His vast experience playing across multiple clubs in Israel, Switzerland and Hungary will be key.

Though Chennaiyin’s strikers have failed to score a lot of goals this season, Alberto Noguera and Daniel Chima Chukwu upfront can be a deadly combination. Owen will be wary of the threats posed by the Chennaiyin strikers, and Cirkovic will eye a clean sheet after failing to clinch one in the last five games.

Daniel Chima Chukwu (Chennaiyin FC)

It will be an emotional homecoming for the Nigerian striker, who also happens to be the all-time top goalscorer for Jamshedpur FC. He has played over 50 games, scored a lot of goals and even played a pivotal role in bringing the ISL Shield to the Steel City.

But last season, he left Jamshedpur to join the Marina Machans. He scored only one goal this season, which came in a losing cause against Inter Kashi. His goalscoring form has been a real concern for Clifford Miranda and Chennaiyin FC, but Chukwu will hope to find his name in the scoresheet against his former side.

In Eze’s absence, Chukwu and Noguera, alongside Irfan Yadwad and Pereira, can outplay the Jamshedpur defence, which has been shaky since the last few games. Before coming to India, Chukwu went on to ply his trade with Molde, which happens to be the most decorated club in Norway and also won the Elitserien thrice.

Did you know

• Jamshedpur are winless against Chennaiyin FC for the last seven games.
• Chennaiyin FC won 5-1 when these two sides last met at the Furance.
• Jamshedpur FC head coach Owen Coyle led Chennaiyin FC to the ISL Finals in his maiden season.

Telecast Details

The Indian Super League 2025-26 match between Jamshedpur FC and Chennaiyin FC will take place at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Saturday (25 March)

It will kick off at 7:30 PM IST. The match will be broadcast live on Sony Network for TV and stream on the FanCode app.

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