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Bengaluru FC host FC Pune City in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday. The Blues are the only team to have qualified for the playoffs so far and are on a superb run of form, having won all their previous five matches. They will now want to ensure a top-spot finish and will be looking for another three points at home. Meanwhile, the Stallions themselves aren’t far away from sealing qualification and trail leaders Bengaluru by five points. Pune are on a good run of form as well and have won four of their last five encounters, including the previous two. A win against the hosts would close the gap between them and the league leaders.
HEAD TO HEAD
Bengaluru FC 1–0 FC Pune City (0 draws)
KEY PLAYERS
Udanta Singh (Bengaluru FC)
The pacey winger has played his part to a tee for his team this season. His quick runs and dribbling ability has caused headaches for opposition backlines. Udanta can also supply incisive passes for the forwards to feed on and has excellent vision with the ball at his feet. He has four assists so far and against a strong Pune side, will want to be at his deadly best.
Diego Carlos (FC Pune City)
The Brazilian has been one of the Stallions’ main players initiating attacks while going forward. Carlos is strong and pacey and almost always seems to create chances when in possession. Deft with his passing, he has two goals and an assist this season. Carlos also likes rising to the occasion during big games and will want to create problems for an organised Bengaluru defence.
POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS
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.
Bengaluru head coach Albert Roca on the importance of winning even after qualifying: “It will be important to keep on winning to keep the momentum. It is important to stay in a race and train to be even better. It is not easy mentally, because when you know you have sealed qualification, you become complacent. And that is the time when the others can punish you.”
Goalkeeper: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
Defenders: Harmanjot Khabra, John Johnson, Juanan, Subhasish Bose
Midfielders: Lenny Rodrigues, Edu Garcia, Erik Paartalu, Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh
Forward: Miku
FC Pune City
Ranko Popovic may use a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Emiliano Alfaro spearheading the Stallions’ attack.
Goalkeeper: Vishal Kaith
Defenders: Sarthak Golui, Gurtej Singh, Rafael Lopez, Lalchhuanmawia Fanai
Midfielders: Diego Carlos, Adil Khan, Jonatan Lucca, Marcelinho, Ashique Kuruniyan
Forward: Emiliano Alfaro
FC Pune City assistant coach Vladica Grujic assessing the opponents: “Bengaluru FC are the best team in Hero ISL right now. We know their quality and the fact that they have qualified for the playoffs. We maybe have one more step left for qualifying and tomorrow is an opportunity to do that. We know how dangerous our opponent will be. But, we also know our quality. We know what the good things we can do are.”
KEY STATS
– Bengaluru have not drawn a single game so far
– The Blues have won most matches this season (11) followed by the Stallions (9)
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTER
FC Pune City 1–3 Bengaluru FC (14th December 2017 at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium in Pune)
FORM GUIDE
Bengaluru FC: W W W W W
FC Pune City: W W L W W
