Hyderabad look to get campaign back on track with win against Bengaluru

Bottom placed Hyderabad FC will be eyeing a positive result against Bengaluru FC when they host the reigning Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) champions at the G.M.C. Balayogi Stadium on Friday. For the Blues, a victory in the fixture will help them climb to the top of the points table.

Hyderabad FC

Rooted to the bottom of the table with just three points from five matches, points are the need of the hour for Hyderabad FC and Phil Brown's men will certainly be gunning for maximum returns on Friday. However, they face the daunting task of toppling Hero ISL 2018-19 champions Bengaluru. The newcomers have struggled so far this season, particularly at the back and are yet to register a single clean sheet this campaign. With several key players returning from injury, much was expected from Brown's charges in their last outing against Chennaiyin. The tie may have shifted Chennaiyin's way right at the end, but Hyderabad were underwhelming at best as Chennaiyin dominated large phases of the game.

Having conceded 12 goals already, Hyderabad have the worst defensive record in the league. The return of Rafael Lopez Gomez did improve Hyderabad’s backline in the last match, but they still ended up conceding twice – which could have been much more if Chennaiyin were more decisive in front of goal.

The attack hasn't been much better either, having scored just four times in five outings and facing off against Bengaluru, who boast the league's most miserly defence, is only set to amplify Brown's woes. Another stat that will worry Brown is that Marcelo Pereira – probably Hyderabad’s key man in the attacking third – has never found the net in his five matches against Bengaluru.

Bengaluru FC

After a slow start to the season which saw them register three draws on the trot, Bengaluru won their last two matches. Still unbeaten this season, Carles Cuadrat's men will be eager to keep that record intact and will be confident of a good result against a struggling Hyderabad side.

Sunil Chhetri has been on the scoresheet in both of Bengaluru’s wins and the 35-year-old's return to form will be a big boost to the team. In midfield, Dimas Delgado, Erik Paartalu and Raphael Augusto have looked brilliant in the two matches the trio has played together and they will be expected to control the game against Hyderabad. In defence, Cuadrat's charges have been as miserly as ever, conceding just once so far.

The Blues seem to be on the upsurge and will back themselves to go for the full three points against a struggling Hyderabad side.

Probable line-ups:

Hyderabad FC: Kamaljit Singh (GK), Matthew Kilgallon, Rafael Lopez Gomez, Gurtej Singh, Mohammed Yasir, Nikhil Poojary, Marko Stankovic, Rohit Kumar, Marcelo Pereira, Bobo, Robin Singh

Bengaluru FC: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK), Albert Serran, Juanan, Harmanjot Khabra, Nishu Kumar, Erik Paartalu, Raphael Augusto, Dimas Delgado, Sunil Chhetri (C), Ashique Kuruniyan, Udanta Singh

Did you know?

Bengaluru FC are yet to concede a goal from open play.
Marcelo Pereira has failed to score in his five matches against Bengaluru FC.
Bengaluru FC are winless in their last 8 away matches excluding the Hero ISL 2018-19 final.

Fan Speak:

Can Hyderabad FC notch up a much-needed win against the mighty Bengaluru?