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Jamshedpur FC host Delhi Dynamos FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Sunday. The league debutants come off the back of an impressive 2–1 win against Kerala Blasters FC as their attack finally seemed to come good. They will be high on confidence, as their first ever league victory also came against the side from Delhi earlier in the season. The Lions, on the other hand, pulled off a major upset in their last fixture as they trumped a formidable Bengaluru FC 2–0 en-route to their first home win. They need a miraculous run to qualify for the knock-out phase which is mathematically still possible.
HEAD TO HEAD
Jamshedpur FC 1–0 Delhi Dynamos FC
KEY PLAYERS
Izu Azuka (Jamshedpur FC)
The Nigerian has been the most prolific player in front of goal for Jamshedpur, having netted three times this season. A strong player who also possesses good pace, Azuka is someone who bullies defenders and finds opening in abundance. He is also good at holding up the ball and will need to be at his best when Delhi come calling.
Lallianzuala Chhangte (Delhi Dynamos FC)
A revelation in the league so far, Lallianzuala Chhangte has shouldered almost the entire burden of the Delhi attacking line. A quick player with silky skills and a good dribbler as well, the 20-year-old has bagged two goals and an assist this season. A player who keeps the defenders on their toes with his intelligent runs, the Mizoram-born player also has a knack for picking out incisive passes. He will be a key player in the fixture against a defensively strong Jamshedpur.
POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS
Jamshedpur FC
Steve Coppell may use a 4-2-3-1 formation that would provide versatility in the middle and on the flanks.
Goalkeeper: Subrata Paul
Defenders: Souvik Chakrabarti, Anas Edathodika, Tiri, Andre Bikey
Midfielders: Mehtab Hossain, Memo, Wellington Priori, Jerry Mawhmingthanga, Farukh Choudhary
Forward: Izu Azuka
Jamshedpur head coach Steve Coppell on scoring and other priorities: “In the course of a normal season, you will get phases where your defence is strong, and generally when you start to score, you think that you can now score more freely. There is no rhyme or reason to it – it is just a factor of the opposition you are playing and their strengths and weaknesses. We go out every game, determined to get a clean sheet – that is our number one priority.”
Delhi Dynamos FC
Miguel Portugal may stick to his own 4-2-3-1 formation as Delhi look to be more clinical in the final third in search of consecutive wins.
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
Delhi head coach Miguel Portugal on the team’s current mentality: “Getting a win is the best thing for confidence. Everyone is in a good mood, and I think we have had the best training session. The team now has confidence, and I wait for tomorrow, where hopefully we will play a good match, and if possible, win against Jamshedpur.”
KEY STAT
– Jamshedpur FC’s first ever league victory came against Delhi
LAST ENCOUNTER
Delhi Dynamos FC 0–1 Jamshedpur FC (6th December 2017 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi)
FORM GUIDE (Last five matches)
Jamshedpur FC: W L D L W
Delhi Dynamos FC: W L D L L
