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Delhi Dynamos FC host ATK in Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi on Saturday. The two-time champions, who at eighth are ahead of their opponents on goal difference, have now gone six games without a win, with five of those ending in defeat. They have only three games remaining and will be aiming to finish as high as possible in the league having already been knocked out of contention for the playoffs. The Lions haven’t had much joy this season either, although they did pick up a couple of wins in their last six fixtures, while also losing twice. Their improvement is too little too late, but with a win at home they can leapfrog ATK in the points table.
HEAD TO HEAD
Delhi Dynamos FC 1 – 2 ATK (4 Draws)
KEY PLAYERS
Kalu Uche (Delhi DynamosFC)
The Nigerian has been a strong and effective player in the Lions’ attacking line. He has earned the reputation of being ever-opportunistic and bullies the opposition defence. A clinical finisher, Uche has eight goals as well as an assist to his name, and he will be looking to inspire his team to a win in front of their home crowd.
Bipin Singh (ATK)
The 22-year-old has been one of the few bright spots in the ATK attack. The talented midfielder has shown great promise, with his frequent bursts of pace and dribbling ability. A good passer and a useful set-piece taker, Bipin has two goals and an assist to his name this season. He will need to be at his best if ATK want to get a result from their visit to Delhi.
POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS
Delhi Dynamos FC
Miguel Portugal may use the 4-2-3-1 formation as Delhi look to be more clinical in the final third.
Goalkeeper: Arnab Das Sharma
Defenders: Pritam Kotal, Pratik Chowdhary, Gabriel Cichero, Munmun Lugun
Midfielders: Matias Mirabaje, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manuel Arana, Paulinho Dias, Vinit Rai
Forward: Kalu Uche
Delhi head coach regarding his team’s approach henceforth: “We want to win every match. We want to have a good finish to the season, and end in a strong position. We have prepared very well for the three matches. But tomorrow, the most important thing is to win against ATK because then we can go over them in the table.”
ATK
Ashley Westwood will probably go with the 4-4-2 formation, allowing enough movement in the midfield to aid both attack and defence.
Goalkeeper: Soram Poirei
Defenders: Keegan Pereira, Jordi Montel, Ashutosh Mehta, Prabir Das
Midfielders: Bipin Singh, Conor Thomas, Ryan Taylor, Jayesh Rane
Forward: Robbie Keane, Martin Paterson
ATK interim head coach on the motivating factor for his team: “The motivation is to try and improve. Obviously, we have not been getting results. But we are professionals, you want to win football matches. We want to finish as high as possible. They players have aspirations for next season and I am sure they would want to improve themselves.”
KEY STATS
Both teams have won the least number of matches this season (3)
ATK have scored the least number of goals so far (11)
The Lions have conceded the most number of goals so far (31)
LAST ENCOUNTER
ATK 1 – 0 Delhi Dynamos FC (23rd December 2017 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata)
FORM GUIDE (Last five matches)
Delhi Dynamos FC: D W D L L
ATK: L D L L L
