After a close loss to ATK Mohun Bagan earlier this week, Bengaluru FC will look to return to winning ways against Jamshedpur FC in their 2020-21 Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) match at the Fatorda Stadium on Monday. Jamshedpur will be no different from their rivals and would like to pick up all three points, having suffered a last-minute defeat against FC Goa in their last game. Both teams have a lot of quality in their side and the match promises to be a cracker. Ahead of the game, let’s take a look at some factors which could prove decisive on Monday.

Monroy has been Jamshedpur’s standout player

Now in his second Hero ISL season with Jamshedpur FC, Aitor Monroy’s performance in the middle of the park has been crucial so far. The Spaniard is the creative mainstay for Jamshedpur with 16 chances, the most in his team. Monroy has three assists to his name, two from corners and one from a freekick, and he also has the third highest chances created by a midfielder this season. Defensively, Monroy has 17 successful tackles for his side. He can be a big difference on Monday.  

Bengaluru FC defence and Valskis threat

The Blues have conceded eight goals in seven matches so far. Although their 9.6 shots faced per match is the third lowest this season, Hero ISL 2020-21 is Bengaluru’s worst season in terms of shots faced per match after their first seven games of the season. Bengaluru’s defence has been particularly vulnerable in the second half. Jamshedpur have a dangerous striker in Nerijus Valskis and he would back himself against a shaky defence. Valskis has never scored against Bengaluru, and after a quiet game against Goa, fans can expect him to go all guns blazing.

Battle of the second half

Both teams have had contrasting fortunes in the second half of their matches this season. The Blues have scored 7 of their 11 goals in the second half, while Jamshedpur have conceded six of their nine goals in the second half. Coyle’s side have also conceded three goals in the final quarter of their matches; twice against Odisha FC when they were leading the match 2-0 and in their last game against FC Goa. It will be interesting to see if there would be a change in the trend.