ISL GW 10 Preview: League leaders Bengaluru take on fiesty NorthEast, Chennaiyin host ATK

The Sunil Chhetri-led side are currently on top of the table, followed by The Highlanders, and Sergio Lobera's men. 

There were some really drab games in the Indian Super League last week which hindered its momentum heading into December. However, there are some mouth-watering fixtures in store which can help give a better view of the playoffs contenders before the end of the first phase.

Chennaiyin FC look to keep their playoffs hopes alive with two matches, while Jamshedpur FC and ATK look to keep up with the top four. Mumbai City FC also has a few important matches, while Bengaluru FC and NorthEast United face-off in what is expected to be a thrilling game. Here’s our preview for game-week 10 of the ISL.

Chennaiyin FC Vs ATK

Date & Venue: 2nd December/ Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai

Time & Broadcast: 07:30 PM/ Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD & Hotstar

Chennaiyin FC lost ground on the playoffs race in the Southern Derby. John Gregory’s side needs a win desperately or risk failing to qualify for the playoffs and need to play much more clinical football to get all three points. ATK are themselves also looking for a win which can lift their own aspirations for the playoffs spot and will hope someone turns up in attack to win them crucial points.

The former defending champions have faced each other 11 times in the ISL. ATK has won four games, while Chennaiyin has won three and four games have been drawn.

Chennaiyin FC should go with a similar team that drew against Kerala, playing the 4-1-4-1 formation they experimented with. Anirudh Thapa could come into spark their midfield, but it’s Chennaiyin’s attack which needs to be more dangerous. Their experienced attackers need to turn up the magic to break through the stubborn ATK defense.

Arindam will be between the sticks for ATK, while Sanjiban will do the same for Chennaiyin

ATK will mostly bring in Balwant Singh for Hitesh Sharma in Chennai, but persist with the 4-2-3-1 formation. While they’ve become defensively impenetrable, the Kolkata-side need to be much better going forward. They’ll hope the Lanzarote-Balwant partnership can do good and create some much-needed goals for them to pick up a win.

Raphael Augusto has been Chennaiyin’s creative genius in the attacking front and needs to come up with the goods on Sunday. Augusto’s impressive eye for goal and creativity is well known, and he’ll look turn up and light up Chennaiyin’s season in the weekend.

Jayesh Rane gave a bright performance against FC Goa and looks to be attaining peak form. Rane’s clever movement, creativity, and trickery make him very dangerous right now and he’ll look to make a big impact to get ATK a much-needed win on Sunday.

Delhi Dynamos Vs Mumbai City FC

Date & Venue: 3rd December/ Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi

Time & Broadcast: 07:30 PM/ Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD & Hotstar

Delhi Dynamos are still winless in their campaign and are in dire need of a victory. Joseph Gombau’s managerial stint hangs in the balance as the Dynamos look for a ray of hope in the form of a win against Mumbai. Jorge Costa’s side have been pretty impressive in away games themselves and will look to continue that with another narrow win to sustain their own playoffs charge.

The two sides have faced each other 9 times in the ISL, with Mumbai City winning four games and Delhi Dynamos getting the win twice. Three other games have been stalemates.

Delhi Dynamos could make a few changes but should stick to a 4-3-3 formation. They played some exciting attacking football against Bengaluru and will look to develop the clinical edge to put away the chances. A stern defensive side awaits, but Dynamos’ attractive attacking movement could help them get a win.

Chhangte's pace will be crucial for Delhi, while Milan will have an important role for Mumbai

Mumbai City FC will play a 4-3-3 formation of their own and look to grind another victory. The Islanders solid defensive state and clinical attackers help them pip games. They’ll look to go with the same routine which won them the last few away games and pick up three more points n the road.

Nandhakumar Sekar gave a promising performance against Bengaluru but missed his scoring boots. Sekar’s creating quite a few chances on the right, with his unpredictability being his biggest asset. He’ll look to trouble the Islanders and finally get his goal to reward his recent heroics.

Arnold Issoko had a relatively quiet game against ATK but has the ability to create many chances through the right-wing. Issoko’s impressive pace, dribbling ability and delivery into the box is something Delhi have to be wary off as he’ll look to bounce back with a compelling showing.

Kerala Blasters Vs Jamshedpur FC

Date & Venue: 04th December/ Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi

Time & Broadcast: 07:30 PM/ Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD & Hotstar

Nothing seems to be working for Kerala Blasters right now, as they’re just stuck in a bad place for a long time. David James’ side desperately needs a home win to reignite the fire of their fans and will look to work on adrenaline to win against Jamshedpur FC. Cesar Ferrando’s side has remained a dangerous away side and will use their impressive attacking prowess to add to Kerala’s misery and consolidate their top-four place.

In their three meetings, Jamshedpur FC has won one game while two others have been stalemates.

David James is experimenting with many formations right now but should persist with the 4-2-3-1 formation which gave him a point in the Southern Derby. Kerala’s attackers need to show more persisting in scoring goals and do something special to win back the trust of the dejected fans next week.

Jhingan will lead Kerala's backline, while Tirii will do the same for Jamshedpur

Jamshedpur FC seems to found the perfect combination in their 4-2-3-1 formation, with their stylish foreigners mixing well with the talented domestic players. Jamshedpur will continue playing some fluid, passing football in Kochi and turn up the style to hand Kerala another defeat.

Halicharan Narazary has the talent to create some majestic moments in games and needs to up his confidence against Jamshedpur. Narzary’s fantastic crossing ability and movement makes him a dangerous winger and he’ll look to put some smiles to his fans’ faces by creating big chances against Jamshedpur.

Carlos Calvo has been Jamshedpur’s main creative force in the attacking third, creating many goals so far. He’s the engineer for most of their attacks and will aim to torment the Kerala defense with his clever passing. The stylish attacking midfielder will look to create more chances for Jamshedpur and add to his season’s tally.

ALSO READ:

• Indian Player Ratings: Michael Soosairaj and Redeem Tlang shine, Sumeet Passi disappoints

• Indian Player Ratings: Rahul Bheke and Udanta Singh shine in topsy-turvy encounter

• Indian Player Ratings: Dheeraj Singh the only beacon of hope as Kerala Blasters hold Chennaiyin

NorthEast United Vs Bengaluru FC

Date & Venue: 05th December/ Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati

Time & Broadcast: 07:30 PM/ Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD & Hotstar

NorthEast United look to extend their dream run in the season against league-leaders Bengaluru FC, who are themselves boasting a six-matches winning streak. The Highlanders would love to put an end to that run and further boost their chances of making they're first ever playoffs. Bengaluru FC, on the other hand, will definitely want to continue this remarkable run. They seem the most complete ISL side right now and will want to crush NorthEast’s ambitions with another clinical win on the road.

Of their two meetings, Bengaluru has won both the games and maintained impressive dominance over the Highlanders so far.

NorthEast will mostly play a 4-4-2 formation which has been working wonders for them as of late. They have the firepower to trouble the Bengaluru defense but need their attackers to provide a special performance to pull off a victory against the seemingly unstoppable Bengaluru side.

Rowllin Borges will be NEUFC's midfield lynchpin, while Udanta Singh will have to use his pace in the flank for Bengaluru

Bengaluru FC will definitely stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation which is consistently reaping wins for them. The Blues seem a perfectly organized unit under Carles Cuadrat and will continue playing effective football to gain victories and continue their impressive march into confirming a playoffs spot.

Bartholomew Ogbeche will need to be on song if NorthEast look to thwart Bengaluru’s threat next week. The star-striker has scored more than 50% of the Highlanders goals so far. Be it his aerial prowess, predatorial instincts or impressive movement, Ogbeche is NorthEast’s biggest threat and will want to become the top-scorer and win his side three crucial points.

Sunil Chhetri has enjoyed a great record away from home and looks to continue that against NorthEast. Chhetri’s impeccable off the ball movement and eye for goal makes him a big threat, as he’ll look to lead the blues to another victory with a compelling showing in Guwahati.

ALSO READ:

• How does Michael Soosairaj give Jamshedpur FC an altogether different dimension?

• Inconsistent, flinching Kerala Blasters have an uphill task to execute

• How Eelco Schattorie's brilliance could help NorthEast United win their maiden ISL title

Mumbai City FC Vs Chennaiyin FC

Date & Venue: 06th December/ Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai

Time & Broadcast: 07:30 PM/ Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD & Hotstar

Mumbai City FC looks to bring back joy to the Mumbai Football Arena against a weakened Chennaiyin FC, who don’t look the same as last season. Mumbai will want to prove their ability to dazzle at home against Chennaiyin, who need wins urgently. With both teams playing to win, it could be a thriller in which the defending champions, in particular, will go all out for a victory.

In their nine meetings so far in the ISL, Chennaiyin FC have defeated Mumbai five times. Mumbai City has three wins over the defending champions, while only one games' been a draw.

The Islanders will go with their go-to 4-3-3 formation and won’t tinker much against the defending champions. Jorge Costa’s men will be coy of Chennaiyin’s threat, looking to work on set-pieces and counter-attacks to get a few goals and record another win at the Mumbai Football Arena.

Sougou will lead the attack for Mumbai, while Jeje will do the same for Chennaiyin

The defending champions will also stick to their 4-1-4-1 formation but will have to show more urgency due to their sorrowful situation. Chennaiyin needs to prove their mettle by playing stunning attacking football and have the resources to turn on the style at Mumbai.

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

Modou Sogou will look to torment Chennaiyin’s defense with his pace and intelligence in the final third. He’s already been quite successful at home and will look to end his slight goal-draught by scoring past Chennaiyin’s defense and reaffirming his ability.

Jeje Lalpekhlua has fond memories at the Mumbai Football Arena and will want to continue his success at the ground. The Mizo Sniper desperately needs some goals to boost his confidence and doing so against the rigid defense of Mumbai will do just that. He’ll look to use his predatorial instincts in front of goal to get a goal and give his side three crucial points.