Preview: Struggling Bengaluru FC face top-four contender Jamshedpur

The Blues have won only two out of eight ISL meetings against the Men of Steel.

Bengaluru FC will have to plan well for Jamshedpur FC and the scintillating Greg Stewart in their bid to return to winning ways in the Indian Super League clash at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim on Monday.

Former champions Bengaluru are on a wretched six-game winless run, managing to pull off a draw against ATK Mohun Bagan in a thrilling encounter that ended 3-3. The Blues showed character in the game and that should boost their confidence. However, in Jamshedpur, they will have more than a formidable opponent to deal with.

Bengaluru are 10th in the 11-team table, with five points from seven games. Jamshedpur are at the other end of the table, sitting third with 11 points from six games. A win on the morrow will take them to within one point of Mumbai City FC, although the league leaders will have a game in hand.

[KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

Stakes

The game will also see two teams with contrasting styles of play crossing swords. Bengaluru under Pezzaiuoli have transitioned to possession-based football, while Owen Coyle’s Jamshedpur FC are a side that tends not to keep the ball as much. Bengaluru are likely to keep the majority of possession, while Jamshedpur sit back and attack quickly when they win the ball.

For the Blues, Prince Ibara has been in good form and that augurs well for their attack. But Jamshedpur have Stewart who scored a hat-trick the other day to announce his arrival in the league.The Scottish forward has four goals and four assists in his six games for Jamshedpur this season. No other player has more goal contributions than him this season.

Jamshedpur attack is now one of the most feared attacks in the league this season. They scored four goals in the first half of their last match and have taken their goals tally to 13 for the season. Only Mumbai City FC have scored more goals than them this season.

Team News

Jamahsedpir FC are still without Mobashir Rahman, while Alex Lima is doubtful with a groin injury. Jordan Murray though has regained full fitness and is likely to play a bigger part in this clash. Bengaluru FC centre-back Yrondu Musavu-King and forward Leon Augustine are out till January, while Naorem Roshan Singh is suspended for this clash after accumulating four yellow cards. The Blues will, however, have Suresh Wangjam returning from suspension.

Head-to-Head

Bengaluru FC and Jamshedpur FC have faced each other in eight matches in the ISL, with the latter winning four of those meetings. The Blues have two, while the other two have ended in draws. Owen Coyle's men won both of the matches last year.

Probable Lineups

Jamshedpur FC (4-4-2): TP Rehenesh (GK); Renthlei, Eli Sabia, Hartley (C), Lallawmawma; Doungel, Jitendra Singh, Pronay Halder, Thatal; Stewart, Valskis.

Bengaluru FC (4-3-3): Gurpreet (GK); Parag, Choudhary, Costa, Ajith Kumar; Jayesh, Bruno, Danish; Ibara, Silva, Chhetri (C).

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News |ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

DIid You Know

• Sunil Chhetri is one goal shy of equalling Ferran Corominas' record of most goals in the ISL.
• Komal Thatal became the youngest goal scorer in the ISL when he netted against Bengaluru FC in 2018-19 season.
• Jamshedpur FC's biggest win in the ISL have come against Bengaluru FC

Telecast

The Jamshedpur FC vs Bengaluru FC match in ISL 2021-22 will be played at the GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim on December 20 (Monday). The kick-off time is at 07:30 pm IST. Star Sports will live telecast the match, while the live streaming for the game will be available on Disney+Hotstar.

For more football updates, follow Khel Now on Twitter, Instagram and join our community on Telegram.