FC Pune City will be looking for a third consecutive win in Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 when they take on Chennaiyin FC at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium in Pune on Sunday. The Stallions have won their last two fixtures against defending champions ATK and local rivals Mumbai City FC. However, they have never beaten Chennaiyin and will be looking to make the most of home advantage against the southerners. The 2015 champions also head into the contest with a win in their previous match against NorthEast United FC.

HEAD TO HEAD

FC Pune City 0 – 4 Chennaiyin FC. 2 draws

KEY PLAYERS

Diego Carlos (FC Pune City)

The Stallions’ flamboyant winger has proved to be a nuisance for opposition defences this season. His understanding with Marcelinho and Emiliano Alfaro up front has been crucial in Pune’ victories so far. While the scoring bit is taken care of by the strikers, Carlos contributes with incisive and key passes in the final third. He bagged the assist for Alfaro’s dramatic late winner against Mumbai, and will look to make his presence felt against Chennai.

Raphael Augusto (Chennaiyin FC)

The Brazilian has played an instrumental role for Chennaiyin in the heart of midfield. Effective in attack as well as defence, Augusto’s ability to find his teammates with his wide range of passes will need to be kept in check by Pune’s defence, which has failed to keep a clean sheet this season. Having already got on the scoresheet twice In Hero ISL 2017-18, he will look to inspire his team to their second win of the campaign against a formidable Pune side.

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS

FC Pune City

Pune head coach Ranko Popovic is likely to use his preferred 3-4-3 formation and use the full width of the pitch.

Goalkeeper: Kamaljit Singh

Defenders: Gurtej Singh, Rafael Lopez, Adil Khan

Midfielders: Lalchhuanmawia Fanai, Marcos Tebar, Issac Vanmalsawma, Sarthak Golui

Forwards: Marcelinho, Emiliano Alfaro, Diego Carlos

FC Pune City head coach Ranko Popovic on facing their opponents: “They (Chennaiyin FC) have good players, and also very physically strong players; maybe one of the strongest teams in this league. We are not as physically strong, but I hope we are strong mentally, and our brain will be working more quickly.”

Chennaiyin FC

Chennai may start with a traditional 4-4-2 formation as preferred by head coach John Gregory. It allows him to keep Augusto in the heart of the action and Jeje Lalpekhlua as the focal point in attack.

Goalkeeper: Karanjit Singh

Defenders: Dhanachandra Singh, Henrique Sereno, Mailson Alves, Inigo Calderon

Midfielders: Jerry Lalrinzuala, Thoi Singh, Raphael Augusto, Gregory Nelson

Forwards: Jeje Lalpekhlua, Boaringdao Bodo

Chennaiyin FC head coach John Gregory on the team’s strategy for the fixture: “We will try and play our normal game. We have scored goals in our two games, but we will need to be at our best against Pune. (Emiliano) Alfaro and Marcelinho have been playing really well, and we will have to be at our best to try and keep those two quiet.”

KEY STAT

• Pune have never beaten Chennai in the history of the league

LAST MEETING

Chennaiyin FC 2 – 0 FC Pune City (20^th November 2016 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai)