ISL GW 15 Preview: Jamshedpur to host Mumbai City, lowly Chennaiyin take on leaders Bengaluru

In another exciting fixture, Phil Brown's outfit will be hosting Steve Coppell's side

Heading into the final month of the league stages, things are getting pretty heated at the top of the ISL table. While Bengaluru FC, Mumbai City FC and FC Goa fight for the top spot, those below them are aiming for a final surge to make it to the playoff spots. With some unpredictable results throwing open things, this game-week also has some big matches that’ll have an impact on the top four race.

So here’s our ISL preview for gameweek 15:

 

NorthEast United Vs Delhi Dynamos

Date & Venue: 7th February/ Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati

Time & Broadcast: 07:30 PM IST/ Star Sports 3, Hotstar & JioTV

NorthEast United have tough competition right on their heels for a playoffs spot and need to win against Delhi Dynamos to consolidate that lead. The Highlanders need to win in a big way to improve their goal difference and a take a step closer to qualification. The Lions have also been inspired by resurgent form recently and will aim to stun NorthEast to climb their way up the table.

NorthEast United and Delhi have won three games apiece in their nine ISL encounters, with the remaining three being drawn.

The Highlanders will retain the 4-2-3-1 formation that’s done them a load of good this season, as Eelco Schattorie looks for another home win. NorthEast will definitely look to play incisive, attacking football and create some dazzling moments for their fans to enjoy.

Borges will play as a box-to-box midfielder for NEUFC, while Tebar will do the same for Delhi

Delhi Dynamos will also operate in a 4-2-3-1 shape and despite missing Lallianzuala Chhangte, whose left for Iceland, they have many options in attack. Josep Gombau’s men will look to play the attractive, passing football and use their unbound creativity to hurt NorthEast’s defence while maintaining a tight defensive line themselves.

Bartholomew Ogbeche seems like a man on a mission when it comes to attaining playoffs qualification of the Highlanders. Currently, on 10 goals, he’ll aim to leap over Coro in the goal-scorers chart and use his lethal striking edge to trouble the Dynamos on Thursday.

Nandha Kumar Sekar has a big opportunity to prove his worth now that Chhangte is not available anymore. The pacy, skilful winger has the ability to run rings around defences and will look to use his fantastic technicality to create or score goals against the Highlanders.

Jamshedpur FC Vs Mumbai City FC

Date & Venue: 8th February/ JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur

Time & Broadcast: 07:30 PM IST/ Star Sports 3, Hotstar & JioTV

Jamshedpur FC needs to recover quickly after a poor return to action following the International break. The game against Mumbai City is almost a make or break one for them, as they need three points to keep their playoffs dreams alive. Mumbai City will aim to come back from the disappointing loss to FC Goa and keep piling the pressure for the top spot.

Jamshedpur has defeated The Islanders twice in their three meetings so far, with their last meeting at the JRD Tata Sports Complex ending up as a draw.

Cesar Ferrando will mostly retain the 4-2-3-1 formation and will hope for Michael Soosairaj and Raju Gaikwad to be back. Jamshedpur will definitely play on the attack at home, playing some fast-paced, clinical football to try and ruffle Mumbai’s feathers and record an important win.

Tiri will lead Jamshedpur's backline, while Bose will do the same for Mumbai

The Islanders will operate with a 4-3-3 formation, keeping things tight in the middle and hogging men in defence to make it especially difficult for Jamshedpur. They’ll look to threaten on the counter and with the quality of attacking players they’ve got, the hosts will find it difficult to contain their pacy men upfront.

Farukh Choudhary looks the most threatening aspect of Jamshedpur FC’s attack right now, with his pace and clever movement troubling many. He will definitely cause problems with those and having a clinical eye for goal, Choudhary will need to be on inspired form to help his side prevail.

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Rafael Bastos has been crucial to creating chances for Mumbai City throughout the season and his creativity can create problems for the hosts. Bastos can spark and finish counter-attacks easily and will aim to use his intelligence to record another away victory for Jorge Costa’s side.

Chennaiyin FC Vs Bengaluru FC

Date & Venue: 9th February/ Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai

Time & Broadcast: 07:30 PM IST/ Star Sports 3, Hotstar & JioTV

In the second Southern Derby, Chennaiyin FC look to derail rivals Bengaluru FC’s momentum. The defending champions are well out of contention, but a win can help boost their confidence and give joy to their fans. Bengaluru FC, on the other hand, will aim another win at Chennai and carry on their march towards consolidating top spot.

This recently created rivalry is only four matches old, with Bengaluru FC and Chennaiyin FC having won two games apiece.

Chennaiyin FC should go with a 4-4-2 formation, with both new signings Halicharan Narzary and CK Vineeth expected to start. John Gregory will hope the intensity of the occasion can light a fire in his player's belly and make them play some effective, attacking football to shock the league-leaders.

Thapa will be Chennaiyin's creative force, while Bheke will look to impress for Bengaluru

The Blues should retain a 4-2-3-1 shape and will hope their prime domestic talent can get the job done at the Marina. Bengaluru will look to dominate the game and attain another well-deserved victory while entertaining the travelling West Block Blues with some stylish football.

CK Vineeth faces his former side and needs goals to prove himself as one of the best in the country. Vineeth was a lethal finisher for Bengaluru and will aim to turn back the clock to put on a clinic against his former employers, giving joy to his new home fans at the same time.

Kean Lewis has been on song for Bengaluru FC after the international break, giving some impressive performances. He’ll look to continue that against Chennaiyin FC, causing problems from the left and creating chances. Lewis’ pace and trickery can torment Laldinliana Renthlei, as he’ll look to make a big impact on Saturday.

FC Pune City Vs ATK

Date & Venue: 8th February/ Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium, Pune

Time & Broadcast: 07:30 PM IST/ Star Sports 3, Hotstar & JioTV

Life under Phil Brown has started positively for FC Pune City, who will look to continue their ambitious charge for an unlikely playoffs place by dampening ATK’s own hunt for breaking into the top four. ATK also desperately need a win in order to maintain their positive run and keep on winning their last remaining games to boost their chances of making the playoffs next month.

FC Pune City has defeated ATK five times in their nine meetings so far, with the Kolkata-side winning twice and two other games being stalemated.

The Stallions will retain the ambitious 3-4-3 formation Phil Brown chose to go ahead with during their win against Chennaiyin FC last week. Pune City will hope their rich attacking talent and balanced side can produce some dazzling football at home and give the fans something to cheer about.

Kuruniyan and Lanzarote will aim to be the driving force of their respective teams

ATK will retain the 4-3-3 formation that Steve Coppell has gone ahead with after the International break. They’ll hope their fantastic Spanish connection up front can weave their magic once again and for the team to produce another complete performance to come away with three vital points from the Balewadi.

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Iain Hume faces his former side in ATK and is probably itching to score his first goal for FC Pune City against them. Hume’s ability in front of goal and striking ability is well known by ISL fans, as he’ll aim to give the fans some joy by being part of some dazzling goals.

Manuel Lanzarote got back to scoring ways with a brace against Jamshedpur FC and looks much more fluid in this new system. Now getting more freedom playing on the right and often shifting to the middle, Lanzarote will utilize his movement and skill to trouble the Stallions and create goal-scoring chances for his teammates.