With their play-off ambitions hanging in the balance, Jamshedpur FC will be on the road to take on Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Saturday. Chennaiyin, on the other hand, are having a torrid time in Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2018-19 and will be playing for pride in their final home fixture of the season.

Chennaiyin FC

Last season's champions currently find themselves rooted to the bottom of the league table with just eight points from 16 matches. John Gregory’s men have had issues with both attack and defence this season. The two-time Hero ISL champions possess the worst defensive record in the league so far, having let in 31 goals – the most by any team. On the offensive front too, they have struggled and have only managed to score a meagre 16 goals in as many outings.

Chennaiyin’s highlight of the season so far was a shock 2-1 victory over table toppers Bengaluru FC a couple of matches back. But any sort of momentum they built up with the result fizzled out in their next match against Kerala Blasters FC as they were humbled 3-0. It was their 12th defeat of the season.

In an attempt to salvage some pride from the forgettable season, Chennaiyin will be hoping to pick up some positive results in their last two matches and end the season on a high. Chennaiyin’s key players like Mailson Alves, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Eli Sabia and others have been inconsistent at best this season and will hope to turn over a new leaf in their final two fixtures. Gregory will be without midfielder Gregory Nelson on Saturday owing to a suspension.

Here’s a look at Chennaiyin’s current season in numbers:

Jamshedpur FC

Cesar Ferrando’s men had a good chance to keep themselves in striking distance of the top four with a win in their last outing against FC Pune City but squandered the opportunity as they went down 4-1 to the Stallions. The Miners will be looking to put the damaging loss behind them as soon as possible and pick up the maximum points from their final two matches in order to give themselves a fighting chance to make it to the top four.

Jamshedpur will hope that their star players like Sergio Cidoncha, Carlos Calvo, Michael Soosairaj and others can deliver against Chennaiyin on Saturday and bring home the three points.

Ferrando will, however, miss the services of Sumeet Passi and Robin Gurung, who are out with injuries. Raju Gaikwad has recovered from his knock but is still lacking match fitness and will be not in contention for the match.

Here’s a look at Jamshedpur’s current season in numbers:

PROBABLE LINE-UPS:

Chennaiyin FC: Karanjit Singh (GK), Tondonba Singh, Eli Sabia, Mailson Alves (C), Laldinliana Renthlei, Christopher Herd, Francisco Fernandes, Raphael Augusto, Anirudh Thapa, Jeje Lalpekhlua (C), CK Vineeth

Jamshedpur FC: Subrata Paul (GK), Tiri (C), Pratik Chowdhary, Dhanachandra Singh, Augustin Fernandes, Mario Arques, Carlos Calvo, Memo, Sergio Cidoncha, Michael Soosairaj, Farukh Choudhary

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Chennaiyin have won just 1 match and have conceded the most number of goals (17) at home.
  • Jamshedpur have won just 1 match away from home this season.
  • Jamshedpur have scored the most number of goals from set pieces (13) this season.

FANSPEAK

Which team will triumph?

  • Chennaiyin FC
  • Jamshedpur FC

Have your say in the comments section below.

Catch the match live on the Star Sports Network, Hotstar and Jio TV at 7.30 PM.