Bengaluru FC take on Jamshedpur FC in Match 41 of Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2020-21 at the Fatorda Stadium on Monday as both sides look to bounce back from losses in their previous matches. The Blues lost 1-0 against ATK Mohun Bagan, while Jamshedpur slipped up late against FC Goa to lose 2-1.

Matches between Bengaluru and Jamshedpur have always been closely contested and in terms of head-to-head, both clubs have won, lost and drawn two matches each. Sharing his thoughts on the upcoming game, Bengaluru head coach Carles Cuadrat said, “Jamshedpur are doing good work. They deserve to have more points. Their foreigners are getting better week after week. The young Indians are also doing well. It is going to be a difficult game for both teams. They are a tough team but we have our plan and we will try to get three points.”

The Blues will fancy their chances particularly in the second half. This is because Jamshedpur have a tendency to concede in the second half: 66.67% of the goals against them so far have come in the second half, while Bengaluru have scored 63.64% of their goals in the second half. Only Kerala Blasters FC (8) and SC East Bengal (11) have conceded more than Jamshedpur in the second half this season.

And Cuadrat’s side have looked like a potent goalscoring side this season as well. With 11 goals in seven matches, they are the joint highest goal-scorers in Hero ISL 2020-21. Their top goalscorers this season are Sunil Chhetri and Cleiton Silva, with three goals each. They also have five other goal-scorers. Jamshedpur, on the other hand, have been overly reliant on Nerijus Valskis who has scored six of their nine goals so far.   

This match will also be a battle of creative prowess, with Aitor Monroy and Dimas Delgado pulling strings for Jamshedpur and Bengaluru respectively. Monroy has three assists this season, and all have come from set-piece deliveries, including their solitary goal against FC Goa, which was crossed to Stephen Eze for the goal.

Against a leaky Bengaluru defence which has conceded eight goals so far, Jamshedpur will no doubt back themselves. In addition, Bengaluru have conceded late in five of their seven matches this season and that’s something Owen Coyle’s men will have in mind. Valskis had an unfruitful game against FC Goa and he will definitely look to return to scoring ways.

“It’s a very tough game for both teams. I think Bengaluru FC are very well-respected. Certainly, they have earned my respect. Terrific coach, very good players, very hard working and organised team. You want to play against the best teams and the best players and Bengaluru FC are affording that opportunity. So, it’s a game we are looking forward to. We are capable of winning games against very good opponents as we have shown but we need to be our best against a very good team in Bengaluru FC,” said Coyle ahead of the game.

Squads:

Bengaluru FC

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Lalthuammawia Ralte, Lara Sharma, Sharon

Defenders: Juanan, Rahul Bheke, Francisco Gonzalez, Ajith Kumar, Joe Zoherliana, Biswa Darjee, Namgyal Bhutia, Parag Srivas, Pratik Chaudhari, Wungngayam Muirang

Midfielders: Dimas Delgado, Erik Paartalu, Suresh Wangjam, Thoi Singh, Ajay Chhetri, Emanuel Lalchhanchhuaha, Amay Morajkar, Harmanjot Khabra, Cleiton Silva

Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Kristian Opseth, Ashique Kuruniyan, Deshorn Brown, Udanta Singh, Edmund Lalrindika, Leon Augustin, Semboi Haokip, Naorem Singh

Jamshedpur FC

Goalkeepers: Pawan Kumar, Niraj Kumar, TP Rehenesh, Raj Mahato, Vishal Yadav

Defenders: Narender Gahlot, Joyner Lourenco, Ricky Lallawmawma, Sandip Mandi, Laldinliana Renthlei, Karan Amin, Peter Hartley, Stephen Eze, Subhash Barua, Manash Protim Gogoi

Midfielders: Aitor Monroy, Alexandre Lima, Amarjit Singh, Jackichand Singh, Isaac Vanmalsawma, Mohammad Mobashir, Jitendra Singh, Gaurab, Manisana Singh, Harsha Parui, Gorachand Mamdi, Billu Teli

Forwards: Nerijus Valskis, William Lalnunfela, John Fitzgerald, David Grande, Sapam Kennedy, Bhupender Singh, Aniket Jadhav

Live Broadcast Schedule:

Hero ISL 2020-21 Match 41: Bengaluru FC vs Jamshedpur FC

Date: December 28 (Monday)

Time: 7:30 PM onwards

Channels: Star Sports Network

Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar and Jio TV