Jamshedpur FC, Odisha FC lock horns in campaign opener

Both clubs have had underwhelming last couple of seasons and will be vying to improve on their points tally with a positive start.

Jamshedpur FC Vs Odisha FC will be special for multiple reasons. Odisha FC, one of the new entrants to the ISL, will take the field for the first time ever in the Indian Super League against Jamshedpur FC on Tuesday evening at the JRD Tata Sports Complex. With a newly rebranded look, the outfit formerly known as Delhi Dynamos FC will be hoping for a turn of tides when they face a new-look Jamshedpur FC, who themselves are desperate to taste the playoffs.

Interestingly, both of these clubs have had a rather disappointing last two campaigns, with Jamshedpur FC finishing at the fifth position and Odisha FC (as Delhi Dynamos) finishing both previous campaigns in eighth place in the standings. The fans of both the camps are desperate for improvement and three points in their opening fixture would be the perfect start.

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It will be exciting to see how Jamshedpur FC play under their new manager, Antonio Iriondo, who has replaced fellow Spaniard, Cessar Ferrando. Both these tacticians believe in a philosophy which is to play entertaining, easy-on-the-eye football and with the new recruitment, the club have managed to retain the Spanish flair in the squad. Odisha FC on the other hand, for the first time, have retained a manager for the second season as they continue to put their faith in Josep Gombau.

The Stakes

Jamshedpur FC

The Men of Steel have had a mediocre start to life in the ISL, after finishing smack in the middle of the table in both attempts. One of the toughest challenges for the new tactician would be to take the side one step further into the playoffs for the first time.

Playing in their own backyard against a team which has been in the news for the wrong reasons, should be an ideal opportunity for Antonio Iriondo to stamp his authority on Indian football.

Odisha FC

The newly found outfit have a lot to fix. A side that has been in a lot of controversy recently over the shifting of their base from New Delhi to Bhubaneswar, need to now focus solely on matters on the field. First and foremost, securing three points should be on the agenda. Playing the opening fixture away from home is a tough task. But, Gombau should be better equipped to deal with the challenges, as he's now in his second season in the ISL.

Despite going through a change in philosophy last season, the Spaniard must improve on the fact that the outfit have finished the last two campaigns in eighth place. Losing players like Gianni Zuiverloon and Lallianzuala Chhangte could still hurt Odisha FC, while they are relying heavily on the new recruits to deliver.

Team News 

Jamshedpur FC

The Men of Steel will be without the services of midfielder Amarjit Singh Kiyam, who caught the eye with his impressive performances in the heart of the midfield. The 18-year-old is set for a December return after fracturing his wrist, which is a massive blow for his side.

However, the recruitment has seen a strong core of Indian players arrive at the club, namely, Keegan Pereira, Narender Gahlot and C.K. Vineeth, along with foreign players such as Noe Acosta and Segio Castel from Atletico Madrid B. Aitor Monroy comes with a lot of expectations too, as he replaces Mario Arques who was sold to Kerala Blasters in the summer transfer window.

Odisha FC

Although, the outfit looks bleak in the forward department, the midfield is their strength. Players Like Vinit Rai and Marcos Tebar form the core and it will be interesting to see how they combine with new recruits such as Diawadou Diagne, Martin Perez Guedes and Xisco Hernandez, who joins from Bengaluru FC.

Aridane will be leading the line, hoping to kick-start his debut ISL season on a strong note. Defensively, new recruit Gaurav Bora will be hoping to form a strong partnership with Carlos Delgado.

Head-to-Head

History heavily favours the hosts in the upcoming fixture, as Odisha FC (formerly Delhi Dynamos FC) have never defeated Jamshedpur FC. The two sides have clashed four times overall, in which the Men of Steel have secured victory on three occasions, with the other being a draw.

Man To Watch

Sergio Castel (Jamshedpur FC)

Jamshedpur have desperately lacked a prolific goalscorer in their ranks in the past two campaigns and the club have put their faith in Sergio Castel this time around. The 24-year-old played most recently for Spain’s Segunda Division B club, SS Reyes, where he scored 13 goals. The striker is pacy and likes to run into the channels behind the defence. He also possesses a good eye to get on the end of crosses. He could be the final piece of the puzzle, which could propel Jamshedpur into the playoffs.

Xisco Hernandez (Odisha FC)

Xisco Hernandez joins his new club after a title-winning campaign with Bengaluru FC in the 2018-19 season. The 30-year-old is an experienced figure on the right flank, who will definitely improve Odisha FC’s end product. His experience will be vital going forward and could help another new recruit in Aridane Santana, by supplying him with quality deliveries to pounce on. Gombau would be rubbing his hands in excitement to work with the fellow Spaniard, who could help him enforce his gameplan in a better way.

Probable Lineups

Jamshedpur FC - Subrata (GK); Joyner, Gahlot, Tiri (C), Pereira;  Memo, Acosta, Choudhary, Vineeth, Piti;  Castel.

Odisha FC - Dorronsoro (GK); Dhot, Bora, Delgado, Narayan; Vinit, Diagne, Nandhakumar, Xisco, Jerry; Aridane.

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Did You Know?

• Both strikers in Sergio Castel and Aridane Santane, from Jamshedpur FC and Odisha FC respectively, will be making their ISL debuts.
• Jerry Mawihmingthanga could be making his Odisha FC debut on Tuesday, after he switched sides from Jamshedpur FC in the summer transfer window.
• The JRD Tata Sports Complex holds upto 24,000 spectators out of which, nearly 23,000 tickets have been sold for the Jamshedpur FC Vs Odisha FC game.

Broadcast

The match between Jamshedpur FC & Odisha FC is set to be telecast live on Star Sports 2 and Star Sports 2 HD. It will also be available be streamed live on Hotstar and Jio TV. Kick-off is set for 7:30 PM IST.