ISL 2015 preview: Desperate Chennaiyin to roll out the big guns against Pune
Chennaiyin FC host second placed FC Pune City at the Marina Arena, in what promises to be an exciting and open game of football. The visitors have a chance to make it four wins out of five and take a two-point lead at the top of the table, while Marco Materazzi's men are keen to get their season back on track.
Materazzi rested most of his key players in the last game, and coupled with the misfortune of playing with 10 men on the field, they ended up losing 0-2 against NorthEast United. Chennaiyin have already faced three defeats this season – the same number they managed in the whole of last season's league phase. Materazzi will be desperate for a win tonight and will roll out his big guns to counter a Pune side who have been the most exciting team to watch this year.
Pune are coming into this game with a crucial 1-0 win against reigning champions, Atletico de Kolkata, as the impressive Jackichand scored the winner. It was their third win in four matches, which is a contrasting start to what they managed in the inaugural season, when they won only four games in entire league phase.
David Platt will be cautious though, as this is his team's first away match and Chennaiyin have an excellent record at the Marina Arena. His team now has the chance to win this game and take a two-point lead over Goa at the top of the table, while the home team have the opportunity to climb above Pune with three points in this game, although the Stallions will still have a game in hand.
Chennaiyin team news
Chennaiyin assistant manager, Vivek Nagul has confirmed that the team does not have any injury concerns at the moment. Harmanjot Khabra, who will be serving his two-match ban following his red card against NorthEast United, is the only player who is unavailable for selection against Pune.
Marco Materazzi rested a lot of key players, like Stiven Mendoza and Elano, in their last game, which ended in a defeat. These players are sure to return for this game and the Italian manager is likely to make as many as seven changes to the starting line-up he used against Pune.
Fikru, Bruno Pelissari, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Manuele Blasi, Dhanachandra Singh and Bernard Mendy will be replaced by Mendoza, Elano, Raphael Augusto, Thoi Singh, Ralte and Mailson Alves, while Godwin Franco will make a start in place of the suspended Khabra.
Pune City team news
The visitors will have to do without Lenny Rodrigues, who was substituted in the 35th minute of the match against Atletico, after picking up an injury.
David Platt has already shown his liking for squad rotation and there could be a lot of changes to the starting line-up in this game. Israil Gurung, who has impressed in the opening couple of matches, will replace the injured Lenny, while Tuncay Sanli and Yendrick Ruiz are rested.
Nigerian forward Kalu Uche will start upfront with Jackichand Singh and Gurung providing him support in attack. In the midfield, Manish Maithani and James Bailey will return to the starting line-up as well.
Previous encounters
11 November, 2014: FC Pune City (Katsouranis 9') 1-1 Chennaiyin FC (Mendoza 58')
19 November, 2014: Chennaiyin FC (Mendoza 62', Pelissari 70', Jeje 90') 3-1 FC Pune City (Djemba-Djemba OG 70')
Prediction
Chennaiyin FC 2-1 FC Pune City
With their important players returning to the starting line-up for this game, Chennaiyin will be determined to bounce back from the defeat in Guwahati. Pune, on the other hand, are likely to rest some key players. It will be an open game of football and one can expect lot of goals. The home side might sneak this in the end though.