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Delhi Dynamos FC host Bengaluru FC in Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi on Sunday. The Lions succumbed to yet another defeat at the hands of Kerala Blasters FC, going down 1–3 at home in their previous fixture. They will still be smarting from the 4–1 loss meted out to them by Bengaluru in the reverse encounter earlier this season. With a semi-finals berth seemingly out of sight now, they need to conjure something special against the Blues. The visitors come off the back of two consecutive wins, the second of which being a 1–0 victory over defending champions ATK. They will want to keep their momentum going against rock-bottom Delhi by doing the double over them.
HEAD TO HEAD
Delhi Dynamos FC 0–1 Bengaluru FC
KEY PLAYERS
Romeo Fernandes (Delhi Dynamos FC)
The winger has been trying to make things happen without much luck in an otherwise underwhelming Delhi attacking line. Blessed with good speed and decent ball-control, the 25-year-old Goan has been involved in most of Delhi’s attacks. Romeo also has an assist to his name this season and will look to inspire his team to a win over Bengaluru.
Subhasish Bose (Bengaluru FC)
The left-back who has also doubled up as a very effective wing-back, has been a revelation this season. His lightning speed on the flanks outpaces and outfoxes several opponents, and his crosses have also been pinpoint. A strong defender, the 22-year-old is also not one to get bullied and almost always holds his own against the attackers. With an assist to his name already, Bose will be looking to take advantage of Delhi’s shaky defence.
POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS
Delhi Dynamos FC
Miguel Portugal may opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation in the hope of being more clinical in the final third.
Goalkeeper: Arnab Das Sharma
Defenders: Pritam Kotal, Pratik Chowdhary, Gabriel Cichero, Edu Moya
Midfielders: Jeroen Lumu, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Nandhakumar Sekar, Paulinho Dias, Romeo Fernandes
Forward: Guyon Fernandez
Lions head coach summing up his team’s performance so far: “I talked with my team. It’s very easy for the opponent to score a goal. For us, we’ve found it difficult, but we had opportunities. That is football. “
Bengaluru FC
Albert Roca will probably go for a 4-1-4-1 formation, which relies heavily on their midfield and flanks for proper service to the striker.
Goalkeeper: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
Defenders: Harmanjot Khabra, Rahul Bheke, Juanan, Subhasish Bose
Midfielders: Dimas Delgado, Edu Garcia, Erik Paartalu, Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh
Forward: Miku
Bengaluru head coach on the areas of improvement for his team: “We have to have more balance. Particularly in the transitions, we have to be much better. We have to be more aggressive and not concede so many chances. We know in attack we have good players who can score, but in football, if you don’t have a good balance you’ll not win. We are looking to be more compact.”
KEY STATS
Delhi have just four points from nine fixtures, which is the worst record at this stage in league history
The Dynamos also have the longest winless run after not recording a win in eight matches
Bengaluru are the only team not to have drawn a single match yet
LAST ENCOUNTER
Bengaluru FC 4–1 Delhi Dynamos FC (26th November 2017 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru)
FORM GUIDE (Last five matches)
Delhi Dynamos FC: L D L L L
Bengaluru FC: W W L L W
