Preview: Punjab FC aim to comeback against upbeat Chennaiyin FC
The Shers will target back-to-back home wins against the Marina Machans.

The Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 action escalates with Chennaiyin FC visiting the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi to square off against Punjab FC in a clash of two revitalised units looking to rally behind their run of some impressive showing and upside potential this season.
Punjab FC are placed fourth in the table after as many matches, securing nine points to their name, whereas Chennaiyin FC are positioned sixth with two victories and draws each in their five encounters thus far. They are arguably two definite contenders for the top-six and hence this fixture carries significant importance for both teams, giving them an opportunity to move up the standings and develop pressure on the higher-ranked opponents.
Punjab FC with a chance for historic firsts
· Consistent Goal-Scorers: So far, across both seasons, Punjab FC have scored 34 goals in the ISL – boiling down to 1.30 strikes per game. Impressively though, only once have they gone back-to-back matches without finding the back of the net in the competition, which was a sequence of two clashes in December 2023. Given that they didn’t score in the previous game, Punjab FC run the risk of equalling that record, something that they would want to avoid especially with the coming game taking place at their home turf.
· Clean Sheet Streak? In their last home match, Punjab FC held their own against the Hyderabad FC attackers by winning 2-0. Never before in the ISL have Punjab FC managed to keep successive clean sheets at home though. They have a chance of scaling that feat against a dynamic Chennaiyin FC frontline that has netted eight goals in five games this season.
Comeback Kings – Chennaiyin FC
· Bouncing Back: Chennaiyin FC have put forth a unified front in ISL 2024-25, regularly dragging the team back from precarious positions to secure positive outcomes. For instance, they have won seven points from losing situations this season – the joint-most with Kerala Blasters FC. Contrastingly, Punjab FC have claimed no such points so far, highlighting the need of an early lead for the Marina Machans.
· Impressive Away Run: The Owen Coyle-coached side have also emerged as a force to reckon with on the road. They are unbeaten in their last three ISL away games – winning twice and drawing once. The last time Chennaiyin FC registered a longer such streak was for five games from January-February 2020. Interestingly, they had made it all the way to the final that year, under the tutelage of Coyle. Are similar fireworks on the cards this time around as well?
Head-to-Head
Chennaiyin FC and Punjab FC have faced each other twice in the ISL, winning once each. The Marina Machans have scored five goals in this fixture vis-à-vis the two of Punjab FC.
Coach’s Corner
“We want to follow our style”
Punjab FC head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis expressed confidence by saying that he wants his team to take the lead in setting the tempo of the game regardless of the ideas and plans that Chennaiyin FC come up with.
“The main topic before us this season is that we want to make the opponents follow our style of play. That’s our biggest concern. Chennaiyin FC have good players and a good style of play but we want to follow our style,” Dilmperis said.
“I want us to believe we can win every game”
Chennaiyin FC head coach Owen Coyle said that he wishes to work with players who emanate positive attitude about winning every game that they play, irrespective of the eventual outcome of the match.
“I want my players to believe that they can win every game. That won’t be possible. But the intent should be there always and that’s the kind of players I like working with,” Coyle said.
Key Players & Milestones
· Chennaiyin FC have gotten a dependable marksman in Wilmar Jordan Gil and the striker is proving his worth with every passing game. Having struck consecutively in the last two matches, the forward has a chance to equal his previous best streak of netting in three straight matches – something that he has done twice (in December 2022 and March 2024). Gil will be keeping his former team on the toes in Delhi.
· The Punjab FC midfield has rediscovered their spark with the introduction of Filip Mrzljak. He has recorded a passing accuracy of 89.3% in the opposition’s half. Mrzljak operates sharply in the final third and has demonstrated that he has an incredible instinct for finding a goal-scoring opportunity.
· Chennaiyin FC’s defence is bolstered due to Ryan Edwards, who has locked in a duel success rate of 82.4% in ISL 2024-25. Edwards also sits atop the list of winning the most aerial duels (83.3%), for any player who has contested at least 10 of them. The free-flowing Punjab FC attack will have to navigate through Edwards’ commanding presence in the Chennaiyin FC backline.
ISL Fantasy
Wilmar Jordan Gil (9.5cr) has earned 21 ISL fantasy points this season
Nikhil Prabhu (5.1cr) has bagged 24 ISL fantasy points in ISL 2024-25
Indian Super League is being streamed live free on JioCinema (English, Hindi, Bengali and Malayalam) and telecast live on Sports 18 — 3 (English, Hindi, Bengali and Malayalam), Asianet Plus (Malayalam). Additionally Sports 18 — 1, Sports 18 — 2 and Sports 18 — Khel is also telecasting select ISL matches LIVE.