Vs
Chennayin FC
Balewadi Stadium, Pune
5th November, 2015
***
After getting off to a flying start this season, FC Pune City FC will be utterly disappointed for failing to make the play offs, as David Platt and his men will be playing for pride, and one last time this season in front of their home support. Chennayin FC, on the other hand, have all to play for as they require just one point to book a top four spot.
Team News And Tactical Brief
FC Pune City
Pune have failed to win in their last seven matches, with their last win coming on October 27. But their home form has been particularly good, losing just one out of the six games and winning four. Platt said the league provided them with sufficient chances to qualify for the semifinals but Pune City could not capitalize.
Pune will be playing for pride, and it helps that they play their last game of the season at home. The hosts are expected to field a strong eleven for this game, with Tuncay and Mutu starting upfront for the Stallions. With Gouromangi Singh injured, Ravanan will come at center back to replace him and Zakora will sit in front of the back four.
Lngdoh has been efficient in midfield this season, and has also earned praise from his manager. Jackichand looked like he would go on and make a telling difference but he did not. A team boasting the likes of Adrian Mutu, Tuncay Sanli, Kalu Uche and the rest have been able to score only 17 goals in 12 matches.
Probable Starting XI (4-4-1-1): Simonsen; Shorey, Ravanan, Johnson, Kotal; Jackichand, Lyngdoh, Zokora, Lenny; Tuncay; Mutu.
Chennayin FC
Head coach Marco Materazzi has stuck to his counter-attacking philosophy and has been blessed with the return to form of important players like Stiven Mendoza and Bernard Mendy among others.
Chennaiyin FC though, will be weary of FC Pune Citya s ability to churn out results at home. The Maharashtra based side have lost just once at home. Materazzi lauded his players for rescuing their bleak situation with impressive performaces that has guided them to the brink of qualification.
Marco will stick to the forward line that has impressed heavily this season, as Steven Mendoza aims to be top scorer this season. He has supplied the goods in spite of the poor form and injury of midfield maestro Elano, and Chennayin would look to them yet again, in hope to earn a point in their last match of group fixtures.
Probable lineup: Karanjit Singh; Wadoo, Potenza, Mendy, Ralte; Khabra, Thoi, Ganesh; Elano; Mendoza, Fikru.
Player to watch out for :
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Adrian Mutu
After a sluggish start to the campaign, Mutu did exceptionally well to hit form, scoring quite a number of goals for his side, but sadly, it has hardly helped the team win any matches so far. But nevertheless, the former Fiorentino man will be looking to leave his mark on the ISL with another comprehensive performance.
Prediction:
FC Pune City 2-2 Chennayin FC
Although Pune have failed to win their previous seven matches, the Balewadi Stadium always provides them with the inspiration to be on their toes. Chennayin will go all out and get the point they desire, but it won’t be easy as Pune would love to play party spoilers.
Blast from the past: Chennaiyin FC 2-1 FC Pune City
Chennaiyin FC displayed a brilliant performance as they claimed a 2-1 win over the touring Pune City as Bernard Mendy smacked an opening goal to put his side in lead in the 35th minute of the game. Soon after, in the second half, forward Stiven Mendoza took a great advantage of midfielder Elano’s assist to double their lead. Uche pulled one back for the visitors, but it wasn’t enough and the hosts ran away with all three points.
Image Courtesy: ISL Media Team