Chennaiyin FC will be eager to make the most of their home advantage when they play host to Jamshedpur FC in the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2019-20 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Thursday. Jamshedpur have found it difficult to get wins on the road and have won just two matches on their travels since the beginning of Hero ISL 2018-19, including only one this season. With only one point between them and both sides vying to break into the top four, a win will be crucial for both sides and Chennaiyin will fancy their chances at home, considering their opponents' away form.

Chennaiyin FC

Chennaiyin come into the match on the back of two wins on the trot and will be eager to register all three points on Thursday in a bid to stay alive in the top four race. Under new head coach Owen Coyle, the former champions have been brilliant offensively, scoring 12 in their last six. Attackers like of Nerijus Valskis, Andre Schembri, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Rafael Crivellaro have all been in good touch and will look to continue their form against Jamshedpur on Thursday.

Their defence, however, has let them down time and again and Coyle will be asking for a more matured showing at the back from his more experienced defenders in the squad like Lucian Goian and Eli Sabia.

The Marina Machans, however, will fancy themselves playing at home, having won three and drawn one in their last five outings on their home turf this season. In those five, Chennaiyin have also scored a whopping 12 goals.

Jamshedpur FC

Having arrested their six-match winless streak with a hard-fought home victory over Kerala Blasters FC in their last outing, Jamshedpur FC will be aiming to keep hold of the momentum with a positive result against the two-time champions on Thursday. The big story for the Jharkhand-based team in the Kerala match was the return of top scorer Sergio Castel, who missed their last five matches with an injury. The Spaniard's arrival immediately boosted the side as the striker scored the team's second equaliser and played a part in the late winner as well.

Castel is vital to Jamshedpur's plans and his involvement in Thursday's match will be key, considering the stats. Jamshedpur have failed to win any of the five matches Castel wasn't involved in and managed to score just five. In comparison, with Castel in the team, Jamshedpur have won four and drawn two, whilst scoring 11 times, in seven matches.

On the flipside, Antonio Iriondo's men will be without talismanic captain Tiri, who suffered a rib injury in the Kerala match. Their defence has struggled of late and has failed to register a single clean sheet in their last seven matches. Tiri's absence will only further dent their chances of keeping Chennaiyin's in-form offensive line in check.

While Jamshedpur fans will be worried going into the fixture, considering their woeful away record, they can take heart from the fact that Jamshedpur have never lost in Chennai. Both matches the team has played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai have ended in draws. With the top four race heating up, however, a draw won't be an option for either side in the upcoming clash and expect both to go all out for a win.

Probable line-ups:

Chennaiyin FC: Vishal Kaith (GK), Lucian Goian, Eli Sabia, Jerry, Edwin Vanspaul, Germanpreet Singh, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Anirudh Thapa, Rafael Crivellaro, Andre Schembri, Nerijus Valskis

Jamshedpur FC: Subrata Paul (GK), Narender Gahlot, Joyner Lourenco, Jitendra Singh, Memo Moura, Aitor Monroy, Amarjit Singh, Noe Acosta, Farukh Choudhary, Sergio Castel, David Grande

Did you know?

  • Jamshedpur have won just 1 match away from home this season.
  • Jamshedpur have conceded 2 goals each in their last 3 away matches in a row.
  • Chennaiyin have won their last 2 matches in a row, scoring 5 and conceding just 1.

Live Broadcast Schedule:

Hero ISL 2019-20 Match 65: Chennaiyin FC vs Jamshedpur FC

Date: January 23 (Thursday)

Time: 7:30 PM onwards

Channels: Star Sports Network

Streaming: Hotstar and Jio TV