Hyderabad FC are set to host Punjab FC at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on March 6, at 7:30 pm IST.

Both these sides are not in contention for the vacant sixth spot for the playoffs. However, they will want to wrap up their campaign on a strong note, to cap off the work done so far and lay the foundation for the forthcoming campaign.

Punjab FC have a promising record against Hyderabad FC in the ISL, remaining unbeaten in three encounters, including consecutive 2-0 victories. A win in this game will mark their inaugural league double over any team in the league’s history. However, Hyderabad FC have been unbeaten in their last five home games, winning twice.

Punjab FC’s Defensive Concerns

• ⁠ Inefficient Backline: Punjab FC have given away goals in each of their last 13 ISL games, which is the longest active streak among all teams. Their last shutout was against Mohammedan SC in December, and their previous away clean sheet came against Mumbai City FC in November.
  
  
• ⁠ Struggling in Duels: Punjab FC have won just 44.9% of their contested duels in 2025, the lowest percentage among all teams. Is it a lack of adequate personnel or some missing tactical blueprint that is seeing them fall short of physical prowess on the field?

Hyderabad FC’s Goal-Scoring Struggles

• ⁠ Attacking Form: Hyderabad FC have gone scoreless in their last two ISL matches after netting in six consecutive games before this slump. Rest assured, the team will want to sign off from the campaign with their frontline firing from all ends.
  
  
• ⁠ Defensive Shortcomings: Hyderabad FC have allowed their opponents to string together 170 sequences of 10+ open-play passes this season, the most in the ISL. They need to be pressing with greater intensity to not let the other team as much time in building up their plays.

Head-to-Head

In their three ISL encounters thus far, Punjab FC have won twice, while a solitary game has resulted in a draw.

Coach’s Corner

“We have conceded late goals”

Hyderabad FC interim head coach Shameel Chembakath said that his team needs to close out games with better discipline.

“If you see the second phase of the (league) competition, there were a few matches where we did well but conceded late goals. We need to work on that,” he said.

“We have approached final third with pressure”

Punjab FC head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis said that his side needs to improve their composure upfront.

“A lot of times, because we are using a lot of young players, they approach the final third with pressure, but when you work under pressure, the execution of the action is not really accurate,” he said.

Key Players to Watch

• ⁠ Hyderabad FC goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh has made 51 saves this season, becoming only the second club shot-stopper to register 50+ of them in a single ISL campaign.
  
  
• ⁠ ⁠Punjab FC’s Suresh Meitei has made 93 clearances this season, and is just seven away from becoming the fifth Indian player to record 100+ clearances in a single ISL campaign. He has also made 10 blocks, won 11 tackles, and emerged victorious in 24 aerial duels in 2024-25.
  
  
• ⁠ Hyderabad FC’s Andrei Alba has maintained an 80.2% passing accuracy in the opposition’s half in 2025, ranking third among players who have attempted at least 150 passes in that region. Alba has completed 17 successful dribbles, in addition to scoring thrice and assisting once in 2024-25.

ISL Fantasy

Andrei Alba (4.9cr)

The Hyderabad FC player has earned the highest ISL fantasy points (99) in his team this season

Nikhil Prabhu (5.1cr)

The Punjab FC star has bagged the most ISL fantasy points (86) in his team in 2024-25.

The Indian Super League is streamed live on JioHotstar (English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam) and telecast live on Star Sports – 3 (English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam), Asianet Plus (Malayalam).