ISL 2019-20 | Odisha FC vs ATK - Preview, Predicted Line-ups, Team News, Match Time

11/24/2019

ATK would be travelling to Pune's Balewadi Stadium to face Odisha FC for their first home match of the season as they look to continue their new-found winning streak in the Indian Super League. Odisha would be needing to bounce back stronger from their stalemate against Kerala Blasters.

Preview

Newcomers Odisha FC will play their first home game of the season at their adopted home ground in Balewadi Stadium, Pune against table-toppers ATK on Sunday. Odisha FC are sixth on the table with four points and are half as not settled as ATK. However, they did beat Mumbai City 4-2 in their only win of the season before failing to extend the form against an injury-plagued Kerala Blasters, who held them to a goalless draw.

ATK, the table toppers are well settled with three straight wins after their loss to Kerala Blasters in the season opener. In their last game, they beat an in-form and until then unbeaten Jamshedpur FC 3-1 on a rainy evening. With their big foreign signings firing well, Antonio Habas is a cool man to face Josep Gombau's Odisha.

Key Players

Odisha FC's Spanish forward Aridane Santana is in fine form and is a joint top scorer in the league with three goals. However, his head injury, which happened against Kerala Blasters, might see him sit out this game. Former Bengaluru FC midfielder Xisco Hernandez is another player to watch out for in the Odisha camp. Jerry Mawhmingthanga would obviously be the Indian player to watch out for.

ATK's foreign trio of David Williams, Roy Krishna, and Edu Garcia are the other joint top scorers with three goals each. The trio is the most lethal forwards in ISL as of now and David Williams’ finetune with Roy Krishna has been the further icing on the cake.

Team News

Odisha FC's star striker Aridane Santana is doubtful after his head injury against Kerala Blasters, barring which Josep Gombau has a fit side.

For ATK, defensive midfielder Pronoy Halder would remain injured after picking up one during the World Cup Qualifiers against Oman. However, Antonio Habas has a strong bench strength to back him up. Moreover, he has a fit squad at his disposal.

Head to Head

ATK and Odisha FC ( Delhi Dynamos FC ) have faced each other 10 times with ATK leading with four wins and Odisha having two. The remaining four ended in draws.

Form Guide

Odisha FC: D-W-L-L

ATK FC: W-W-W-

Predicted Line-ups

Odisha FC: Arshdeep Singh (GK), Carlos Delgado, Rana Gharami, Gaurav Bora, Narayan Das, Marcos Tebar, Diawandou Diagne, Xisco Hernandez, Nanda Kumar, Jerry Mawhmingthanga, Aridane Santana.

ATK: Arindam Bhattacharya (GK), Pritam Kotal, Agus Garcia, Anas Edathodika, Prabir Das, Carl McHugh, Jayesh Rane, Edu Garcia, Michael Soosairaj, David Williams, Roy Krishna

Manager History

Josep Gombau

The Spaniard’s coaching career started at the age of 16 and he has since managed La Liga giants Barcelona’s youth team. He also has experience in Asia and Australia and this is his second year in India. Last year he was struggling with Delhi Dynamos managing only four games with Delhi Dynamos last season. But the management has shown faith in him to continue.

Antonio Habas

The first-ever ISL winning coach is a veteran and has vast coaching experience with Spanish sides in La Liga and the lower divisions. He also coached the Bolivian national team and also had a stint with a defunct Pune City FC. The 62-year-old is one of the most animated coaches in ISL and has also faced disciplinary actions.

Match Time - 7:30 pm IST, Star Network