Preview: Jamshedpur FC in battle to revive season against Odisha FC

The Juggernauts could spoil the party for the Men of Steel.

Odisha FC are up against Jamshedpur FC in their next Indian Super League (ISL) 2020-21 fixture. Stuart Baxter’s men have struggled all season in various departments. Their last game ended in a 1-1 draw against Bengaluru FC, which extended their winless run to four matches.

On the other hand, Owen Coyle’s Jamshedpur FC are going through a difficult phase too. The outfit are without a victory in the last five matches and are lagging behind in the race for the playoffs.

The upcoming fixture could see Odisha spoiling Jamshedpur’s chances. Given what is at stake, the game is definitely going to be entertaining for the neutrals, but nerve wracking for the fans of the clubs involved.

The Stakes

Odisha FC

The lack of consistency in several departments meant that Odisha’s season never got into second gear. The team have been languishing at the bottom of the standings for most of the season, with no signs of rising up the ranks. Baxter’s men have only won once this season and the aspirations of a playoffs spot have quickly diminished.

At this point, they are playing for pride and with nothing left to lose, OFC could end up becoming party-spoilers for the rest of the clubs. The tactician would be lucky to remain in his position until the end of the season.

Jamshedpur FC

Jamshedpur FC have fallen behind due to inconsistent results and lacklustre performances from the players. They have not managed to string good performances together, which has taken away from Owen Coyle’s tactical genius. Individual errors and lack of composure has hurt the team massively.

While they are still in contention for a playoffs spot, their form puts them at a disadvantage. Facing fellow strugglers in Odisha might be the best opportunity to turn the season around for the outfit. The next game becomes a must-win for JFC, as they look to enter the playoffs for the first-time ever. 

Team News

Odisha FC

Odisha FC have swapped Marcelinho for Brad Inman from ATK Mohun Bagan and it will be interesting to see how the tactician introduces him into the games to come. He should be part of the matchday squad.

Rest of the team picks itself, with Rakesh Pradhan looking to keep his place in the starting lineup. The 4-4-2 formation has brought stability to the team’s performances and will likely be continued. 

Jamshedpur FC

The team are free of injuries and suspensions. Therefore, the manager will have the luxury to choose from a full-strength squad. Farukh Choudhary should retain his place in the starting lineup, after moving back from Mumbai City FC. 

Probable Lineups

Odisha FC: Arshdeep; Pradhan, Bora, Taylor, Tratt; Rai, Alexander, Lalhlimpuia, Jerry; Onwu, Mauricio.

Jamshedpur FC: Rehenesh; Renthlei, Eze, Gahlot, Lallawmawma; Fitzgerald, Monroy, Lima; Choudhary, Valskis, Doungel.

Head-to-Head

https://youtu.be/clX70x3Q3Jc

Odisha and Jamshedpur have clashed five times before, with the former winning on one occasion and the latter twice. The other two have been draws. Last meeting between the sides ended in a 2-2 stalemate earlier in the season. 

Man to Watch

Diego Mauricio (Odisha FC)

The man to watch out for in Odisha’s lineup is Diego Mauricio. The Brazilian has been a class apart from his teammates. He has scored seven of Odisha’s 13 goals in the competition. He has also provided one assist in the process, taking his goal contributions to 8 in 13. In a team which is struggling for goals, these are sensational numbers. 

He has overshadowed any other player in the squad and proves to be the most obvious threat for the opposition defence. The striker has a lot of variations in his locker. He can run in behind the defenders, but also loves to drop deep and get involved in the build-up. The opposition must not allow him space to shoot from distance either.

Aitor Monroy (Jamshedpur FC)

Aitor Monroy has showcased the depth of his talents this season. He has dominated the middle of the park on many occasions and has been the orchestrator for his side. The Spaniard is the creative spark in midfield and plays the ball into the channels for the wingers to latch on.

The midfielder has contributed with three assists as of yet. He remains a constant threat with his delivery from set-pieces, and Odisha’s weakness from set-plays could spell trouble for them. Monroy’s contest with Cole Alexander will be interesting to watch. 

Did You Know?

• Aitor Monroy has made the most number of passes for Jamshedpur FC, 585 in 13 games.
• More than half of Odisha’s total goals (13) have been scored by Diego Mauricio (7).
• Odisha’s new signing, Brad Inman is the product of Newcastle United’s academy. 

Telecast

The match between Odisha FC and Jamshedpur FC is set to be telecast live 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.