Bengaluru FC will be eyeing back-to-back wins at home in Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2019-20 when they entertain Jamshedpur FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Thursday. The Blues beat FC Goa in their last outing and will be keen to secure another three points as they look to strengthen their position in the top four. Jamshedpur FC, meanwhile, are winless in their last five games but can enter the top four with a victory against the defending champions.

Bengaluru FC

The reigning champions returned to winning ways in their previous game and will be looking for another victory in front of their home fans on Thursday. Talisman Sunil Chhetri will once again be their biggest threat in the Blues’ armoury, having been in sensational form this campaign. The Indian legend has scored seven times already with five of those strikes coming at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.

Strong from set-pieces, seven of their 13 goals scored so far have come from dead ball situations. The likes of Erik Paartalu, Juanan and Albert Serran are especially dangerous from such situations in the opposition box and will require tight marking by Jamshedpur’s defence. Playmaker Dimas Delgado will be entrusted with carving open the opposition defence along with their pacey wingers Ashique Kuruniyan and Udanta Singh.

Defensively, Bengaluru have the tightest backline in the league having conceded just seven times all season. Their fullbacks Rahul Bheke and Nishu Kumar are also integral to their system and capable of making an impact on both ends of the pitch. The likes of Semboi Haokip, Manuel Onwu, Kean Lewis and Eugeneson Lyngdoh on the bench further accentuates their squad depth.  

Jamshedpur FC

Jamshedpur need a quick change in fortunes if they are still aspiring to make it to the top four in the standings. Winless in their last five games, Antonio Iriondo’s men have struggled to cope with the absence of frontman Sergio Castel, who has been on the sidelines with an injury. They will be hoping that new signing David Grande can fill the void left by Castel and find the back of the net to get Jamshedpur’s season back on track.

Besides Castel, Iriondo will also be without playmaker Piti in the match. Jamshedpur have struggled to create positive chances in his absence and the Spaniard’s absence will certainly be felt in midfield. However, Noe Acosta has been deemed fit and may feature against Bengaluru alongside the likes of Aitor Monroy and Memo Moura. Widemen Farukh Choudhary, Bikash Jairu and CK Vineeth could also have a role to play in offence, while Tiri and young Narender Gahlot marshal their defence.

Getting three points, of course, won’t be easy against Bengaluru away from home. Having said that, it will be important for Jamshedpur not to get beaten as they eye a fresh start to the new year. With the league now heading into the business end of the season, Jamshedpur can ill afford anymore slip ups and need to earn at least a point from the tie having emerged with nothing from their last two outings.

Probable line-ups:

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

Jamshedpur FC: Subrata Paul (GK), Tiri, Narender Gahlot, Robin Gurung, Noe Acosta, Aitor Monroy, Memo Moura, Isaac Vanmalsawma, CK Vineeth, David Grande, Farukh Choudhary

DID YOU KNOW?

• Bengaluru have scored nine of their 13 goals this season in the second half.
• Jamshedpur have scored seven of their 13 goals this season in the first half.
• Bengaluru have scored seven of their 13 goals this season from set-pieces.

Fan Speak?

Which forward will have the biggest impact?

• Sunil Chhetri
• David Grande

Live Broadcast Schedule:

Hero ISL 2019-20 Match 55: Bengaluru FC vs Jamshedpur FC

Date: January 9 (Thursday)

Time: 7:30 PM onwards

Channels: Star Sports Network

Streaming: Hotstar and Jio TV