Preview: Bengaluru FC look to go back to winning ways against Jamshedpur FC

The Blues were in a vein of form before they were halted by Antonio Habas’ ATK Mohun Bagan in the previous game, thanks to a splendid individual effort from David Williams. It left Bengaluru FC four points behind ATK Mohun Bagan - which they will look to narrow down with a win against Jamshedpur FC in the upcoming game.

Jamshedpur FC had performed admirably but were defeated 2-1 in their last game against FC Goa thanks to a late strike by Igor Angulo. The Men of Steel now lie sixth in the standings with only two points separating them with Bengaluru FC. 

The Stakes

Bengaluru FC

Bengaluru FC need to return to winning ways to ensure that they make the playoffs comfortably, knowing that they would need to be at their best in the business end of the league. The team have swung between moments of attacking fluency and defensive sloppiness in this campaign and Cuadrat has attributed this to the shortened pre-season and bedding in of new signings into the team’s way of playing. A week’s break between the ATK defeat and the game against Jamshedpur FC should give Bengaluru FC and players a breather and time to reflect on how to remedy the situation. 

Jamshedpur FC

Jamshedpur FC will need to put the defeat to Goa behind them and look to take advantage of the defensive restructuring of Bengaluru FC and injury to first choice left back Ashique and go for the three points which could see them leapfrog their opponents in the ISL table. 

Team News

Bengaluru FC

Apart from Ashique Kuruniyan, who has undergone surgery after a painful knock on his face, coach Carles Cuadrat confirmed in his pre match press conference that he has no injury concerns ahead of this game.  

Jamshedpur FC

Owen Coyle’s team were unlucky not to salvage three points or at least a draw in their game against Goa and the tactician would have been encouraged by his team’s ability to trouble a possession based team like Goa and could largely see his team remain unchanged for this tie.  

Head To Head

The numbers do prove that this tie has been particularly tricky for both sides. They have met six times in the last three seasons, which have seen two wins each for both sides and two draws.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa8lFOtmW9U

The last time these two sides met was on January 9 earlier this year, where the Blues sealed a comfortable 2-0 win over the Men of Steel.  

Probable Lineups

Bengaluru FC: Gurpreet (GK); Khabra, Juanan, Pratik, Bheke; Paartalu, Dimas, Suresh; Chhetri, Udanta, Brown 

Jamshedpur FC: Rehenesh (GK); Renthlei, Eze, Hartley, Ricky; Monroy, Alex, Jackichand; Isaac,Jadhav, Valskis

Man To Watch

Cleiton Silva

The 33-year-old does seem to have slowly found the kind of movement and link-up play that made him such a hit in Thailand. Cuadrat acknowledged that the Brazilian’s versatility is vital to the team’s balance and he expects great things from Silva in this campaign.   

Nerijus Valskis

The former Chennayin FC striker came close to clinching the game against FC Goa with a fierce shot that struck the underside of the bar and was a constant thorn for FC Goa. The striker is expected to continue this against a Bengaluru FC defence that has struggled a little with quick strikers who have a few tricks up their sleeve.   

Did You Know?

• Both sides have scored an average of 2.3 goals per match involving them.   
• Bengaluru FC have an xG of 1.1 at home and on the road while Jamshedpur FC are at 0.87 and 0.94 respectively.
• Jamshedpur FC custodian TP Rehenesh has made the most numbers of saves (22) this season in ISL till now, five more than Bengaluru FC keeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

Telecast

The live telecast of the match between Bengaluru FC and Jamshedpur FC will be available on Star Sports 1 SD & HD, Star Sports 2 SD & HD (English), Star Sports Hindi 1 SD & HD, Star Sports 3 and several other regional languages. Live streaming of the match will be available on Hotstar and Jio TV.

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