Image Courtesy a Indian Super League Media Team.
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Atletico de Kolkata
1900 IST, 14 November, 2015
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi
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The 37th match of Indian Super League (ISL) 2015 will see third place Delhi Dynamos FC take on fourth place Atletico de Kolkata at New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru stadium on Saturday.
The Dynamos, who play their third consecutive match at home, will be looking to get back to winning ways after playing out two 1-1 draws against NorthEast United FC and Mumbai City FC. Three of the four wins for the Delhi Dynamos this season have come away from home – their latest coming against defending champions Atletico de Kolkata at the Salt Lake stadium in the end of October.
Atletico de Kolkata have thusfar failed to replicate the form that saw them win the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League. Despite losing 4 out of their last 6 matches in the league, three out of the four wins recorded by Kolkata this season have come away from home. They will be looking to register their fourth away win of the tournament when they they take on Roberto Carlos’ Delhi Dynamos on Saturday.
Team News and Tactical Brief:
Delhi Dynamos FC
After recording three wins away from home, the Delhi Dynamos FC have been unable to take advantage of home conditions after drawing their last two matches. With just seven goals scored, the Delhi Dynamos have found the back of net on lesser occasions than any side in the tournament.
Addressing the need for his side to score more goals, Delhi manager Roberto Carlos revealed in his pre-match press conference that he may start two out and out strikers in Adil Nabi and Robin Singh against Atletico de Kolkata. Robin Singh, who scored the winner for the Indian national team in their hard fought 1-0 win over Guam on Thursday, will be a particular threat upfront for the Dynamos.
The Lions have the sturdiest defence in the league having conceded a mere 7 goals in the 8 matches played so far. The 4 man back-line of Anas Edathodika, John-Arne Riise, Ralte Adinga and Souvik have performed admirably in defence for the Dynamos this season. The Dynamos defensive quartet, along with goalkeeper Doblas, are expected to retain in their places in the starting line up against Kolkata.
Having expressed his desire to play two strikers, it will be interesting to see how Roberto Carlos lines up his 4 man midfield against Kolkata. Chicao, who sat out the last two matches for the Dynamos through injury, is expected to start alongside club captain Hans Mulder in central midfield. Effervescent French winger Florent Malouda, who has thusfar operated in a No. 10 role for the Dynamos this season, is expected to start on the left hand side of midfield with Sehnaj Singh occupying the berth on the right.
Probable Starting Lineup (4-4-2): Doblas (GK); Anas, Riise, Ralte, Souvik; Mulder, Chicao, Malouda, Sehnaj; Singh, Nabi.
Atletico de Kolkata
Reigning champions Atletico de Kolkata were given a huge boost on Wednesday after manager Antonio Lopez Habas announced that marquee signing Helder Postiga has recovered from his hamstring strain that has kept him out since the opening match of the tournament against Chennaiyin FC. He is expected to start from the bench against the Dynamos.
In further good news for the fans, Kolkata announced the signing of Serbian International and former Osasuna striker Dejan Lekic as a replacement for the injured Josemi. Lekic, who arrived in India late last week, will most likely start from the bench.
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Iain Hume, who burst into life after scoring an impressive hattrick against Mumbai City FC earlier this month, will lead the line for Kolkata against the Dynamos. Japanese midfielder Irata Izumi, who scored an impressive brace against Kerala Blasters in their last match, is expected to replace Spanish midfielder Gavilan and will start behind Hume in the No. 10 role.
Rino Anto and Mohan are expected to continue as wing backs for Atletico as part of their 3-5-2 setup. Sameehg Doutie, Borja Fernandez and Mohammed Rafique will occupy the central midfield berths for Kolkata against the Dynamos.
The three man backline of Nato, Franco and and Tiri will continue to retain their place in the squad ahead of goalkeeper Amrinder.
Probable Starting Lineup (3-5-2): Amrinder (GK); Nato, Tiri, Franco; Doutie, Borja, Rafique, Anto, Mohan; Izumi, Hume.
Predictions:
Delhi Dynamos FC 2-2 Atletico de Kolkata
The Delhi Dynamos FC will be hoping to climb to the top of the Indian Super League table after the conclusion of their fourth home match against reigning champions Atletico de Kolkata. The Dynamos are the league’s lowest goalscorers (7) but have also got the league’s best defence (7).
Having won three of their five away matches this season, Habas’ Atletico de Kolkata will be hoping for another scalp in the form of Delhi Dynamos on Saturday. With Delhi looking to improve their goal tally and Kolkata being the joint top scorers in the league so far, an entertaining high scoring draw is predicted by thehardtackle as the outcome of this match.