FC Goa made an excellent comeback from 0-1 down to win 2-1 at home. Mohammed Rafi opened the scoring with a 24th minute strike to give visitors an early lead, the goal was cancelled just before half time by Leo Moura after scoring at 45th. Later, Gregory Arnolin's 83rd minute goal proved to be the winning goal for the home side as FC Goa beats Kerala Blasters with 2-1 scoreline. FC Goa are currently at the top of the table with 10 points in 5 games.
Delhi Dynamos take away all the three points from Kochi as they beat Kerala Blasters 0-1. Richard Gadze's superb header from Malouda's cross made all the difference as the visitors joined FC Pune City as the joint table toppers after the win.
Kerala Blasters would look to bounce back in this home tie against Delhi Dynamos after losing out to Atletico de Kolkata on the last weekend, Kerala will look to secure all the three points but it will not be that easy for Peter Taylor's men a Delhi Dynamos are in fine momentum after winning back to back games against Chennaiyin FC and FC Pune City. Delhi Dynamos coach and marquee signing Roberto Carlos will hope for another super performance from his side. PREVIOUS MEETINGS (W1 D1 L0) Kerala Blasters have an upper hand in the head to head meetings with one win and one draw. The first meeting between the two sides was played on 9th Nov,2014 at Kerala's home ground, the game ended 0-0 with both teams sharing points. The reverse fixture was played on 16th Nov,2014 at Delhi and the visitors stole all the three points as the ended 0-1 to Kerala Blasters, courtesy to Penn Orji's goal. Delhi Dynamos would be hopeful of seeking their first ever win over Kerala Blasters in this tie. PREDICTION: Kerala Blasters 1-0 Delhi Dynamos
Kerala with the advantage of home fixture and return of Cavin Lobo from international duty slightly places them as favorites on paper, Kerala players will play the ball with an attacking intend from the start of the game, however, it will be very tough for them to break Delhi's defensive wall with players like Riise and Edathodika as their main defenders. Robin Singh who found the net against Pune will look for more goals and can be a trouble for ISL defenders. With both teams looking good, a close encounter is expected with a narrow win for the home side. KEY PLAYERS: Kerala Blasters: Cavin Lobo, Dagnall and Watt Delhi Dynamos: Robin Singh, Riise and Dos Santos MANAGER PRE-MATCH TALKS: "I think Delhi have made some good signings. Big names like [Florent] Malouda and [John Arne] Riise, I've seen them in England and they're amazing players. But we're entering the field with an apt amount of respect and we don't intend to show them the ball, we are very capable of being a good team and cover the grass": Kerala Blasters FC coach Peter Taylor "I am ready if the need arises, I will play. Every game is very difficult and I'm already happy with the work of the players": Delhi Dynamos FC marquee player-cum-coach Roberto Carlos FC Pune City will host an exciting fixture as the defending champions are set to visit Pune side, FC Pune City are currently at the 4th spot and will do anything to keep hold of the plays-offs contention. FC Pune City can move on to the 1st spot in the table if they win it today in the evening. However, this will not come that easy for Pune outfit as Atletico De Kolkata will look to increase their lead on the top spot in today's game. This game will be thriller as it is an important game for both the sides. PREVIOUS MEETINGS: (W1 D1 L0) FC Pune City have dominance over the defending champions as they have drawn the game 1-1 in their first ever meeting hosted by FC Pune City and won 1-3 on away. ATK would look to grab their first win against the Stallions in this tie. PREDICTION: FC Pune City 1-3 Atletico De Kolkata
FC Pune City will look to quick fire in this fixture after losing to Delhi Dynamos in the last game. However, Pune will face a tougher task this weekend as they welcome the defending champions and league leaders Atletico De Kolkata. Pune City have a decent attack with 5 goals in last 3 games however, they need to work on their defense if they are to be sure of getting some points. ATK, on the other hand, with their impressive attack will be a constant threat. As, it is a battle for top spot both teams will give it all to get a win. KEY PALYERS: FC Pune City: Jackichand Singh, Lyngdoh and NIcky Shorey ATK: Valdo, Lara and Hume MANAGER TALKS: "They’ve [Atlético] won two and drawn one so they are in a strong position. We have to respect them. But there’s not much to choose between all the teams": FC Pune City coach David Platt "Hopefully the players that start tomorrow and every subsequent game give a performance like they did the last time": Atlético sports director Alberto Marrero MUMBAI CITY FC
0-2 CHENNAIYAN FC(Mendoza(2)) Sunil Chhetri's debut and a home advantage didn't benefit as Mumbai City FC were destroyed by Chennaiyin FC's star forward Stiven Mendoza with two goals in the space of five minutes to keep the home team win-less in the Indian Super League 2015. Mendoza fired in 61st and 66th minutes to give Chennai a comfortable 2-0 win over the home side.With this win,Chennai have rose to 3rd place with 6 points from 4 games while Mumbai are winless and are at 7th place with 1 point from 3 games. Mumbai City FC will play their first home game this season as they prepare themselves to host Chennaiyin FC, Mumbai City haven't registered a win but they will be hopeful of this tie as India's most lethal striker Suniel Chettri will join the squad after the international duty. Meanwhile, FC Goa's 0-4 thrashing on away was Chennaiyin FC's response to their first two defeats in the league and with this confidence Chennaiyin FC will travel to winless Mumbai City FC in search of another win. PREVIOUS MEETINGS: MUMBAI CITY VS CHENNAIYIN FC (W0 D0 L2) Chennaiyin FC have clear dominance over Mumbai City FC as the Super Machans have won both the fixtures of the last seson with a huge margin. In the first game, hosted by Chennaiyin FC, Super Machans were on rampage as they fired 5 goals past India's no 1 goalkeeper Subrata Paul in the last season as they won 5-1. In the return fixture, Chennaiyin FC got all the three points after a comfortable 0-3 away win against Mumbai City FC. PREDICTION: Mumbai City FC 0-2 Chennaiyin FC
Mumbai City FC have managed to score just one goal so far in the season, which makes them the team to score least goals to score in the table. However, returning of Sunil Chhetri can be a huge confidence builder for the attacking players of Mumbai City.Besides, Nicolas Anelka (Mumbai City's manager) can also guide the team with his vast experience of being a striker. However, departure of Andre Mortiz who scored the first hattrick of ISL, last season, has left the club due to personal reasons. This can be a major blow for the men in blue. Chennaiyin FC, On other hand, will look to continue their goal scoring momentum and hope for the three points on a trip to Mumbai. KEY PLAYERS: Mumbai City: Sunil Chhetri, Sony Norde and Bertin Chennaiyin FC: Fikru, Elano and Bernard Mendy MANAGER TALKS: "Psychologically, we need to look forward to our first game at home tomorrow, win and change the tendency of not winning games. From the first two games, there are quite a lot of positives. So now we don’t have time to look back, we have time only to look forward": Mumbai City FC assistant coach Oscar Bruzon "I think that if our players are not focused, the game is going to be difficult. The time when you think you’re better than the opponents is precisely the time when begin to lose. This year, we had to start from zero. What I want from my players is to show maturity and win the next game": Chennaiyin FC coach Marco Materazzi (The match starts 1900 IST and will be telecast on Start Sports 1/HD1/2/HD2/3/HD3) Highlanders tasted defeat again, FC Goa stole all the three points with a comfortable 1-3 away win. The home side took an early lead at 12th minute with the help of Francis Dadzie's goal, the Gaurs levelled up at 28th minute courtesy to Jonatan Lucca and completed the comeback just after a few minutes from the first with a 30th minute strike from Reinaldo, FC Goa cemented their away win with the 70th minute goal courtesy to Leo Moura. FC Goa are currently at the third rank in the standings.
Northeast United FC have started their season poorly with two defeats in the first two games, they are currently at the bottom of the table with zero points. After performing badly on away, Highlanders are hopeful of today's fixture as they will play at the home ground for the first time ever in this season. Northeast United would look to open their account of points tally with a home win. On the other hand, FC Goa would look to regain their lost confidence in this fixture after losing out poorly (0-4) on home turf to Chennaiyin FC. With both teams seeking a win an attacking gameplay is expected. The team with better defensive tactics will have an upper hand in this fixture. PREVIOUS MEETINGS: Northeast United and FC Goa have met twice so far, with (W1 D1 L0) FC Goa have dominated Northeast United so far however, Highlanders would be determined to pull out their first ever win of this season as well as against FC Goa. The first meeting was hosted by Northeast United in which, the game ended 1-1 after, Sergio Koke cancelled FC Goa's goal with his strike. The second meeting was held at Fatorda stadium, Goa. in which, the home side dominated the visitors as they emerged victorious with a smashing 3-0 win. KEY PLAYERS:
Northeast United: Reagan Singh, Simao and Velez FC Goa: Dessai, Joffre and Arnolin PREDICTION: Northeast United 1-2 FC Goa FC Goa would look to take advantage of Highlanders' poor form to regain their momentum. Marquee signing Lucio can be influential figure on the pitch with his vast experience, he can guide his defensive partners to overcome the highlanders' attack. The team with better defensive tactics will have a stronghold on the game. Northeast United, will be desperate to open their points tally after losing out in the opening two fixtures. with either sides hoping for points, goals are likely to come at both the ends. Though, an away win is predicted. (The match starts 1900 IST and will be telecast on Start Sports 1/HD1/2/HD2/3/HD3) FC PUNE CITY(Uche)
1-2 DELHI DYNAMOS(Robin Singh,Gadze) A debut goal from Robin Singh saw Delhi taking an early lead over the home side.The undefeated Pune outfit's winning streak was halted as the Roberto Carlos coached side beat FC Pune City 2-1. It was 24th minute and an assist from former Chelsea FC winger Florent Malouda saw Robin Singh score.The match seemed to end 1-0 in Delhi's favour but 2 strikes in the 90th minute one from each of the sides saw the scoreline end 1-2.Gadze took the game out of Pune's hands as he scored in the additional time to give Delhi a 2-0 comfortable lead.But Line's Uche scored immediately afterwards to give Pune some hopes of a miracle.But it was too late as the game ended 2-1 to Delhi. Delhi and Pune are both on 6 points each from their opening 3 games as they are placed at 3rd and 2nd positions respectively according to their goal difference. Athletico Kolkata the only undefeated side sit on top of the table with 7 points from their opening 3 games. FC Pune City have made two wins in two games and they will would be keen to make it three on three as they prepare to host a tough opponent in Delhi Dynamos. Pune's compact defense and clinical attack has guided them back to back victories in the league. Delhi Dynamos, on the other hand, have recollected their confidence by defeating last year's semi finalists Chennaiyin FC. Delhi will look to halt the stallions and pick their first away win of this season. PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
FC Pune City haven't beaten Delhi Dynamos in the course of the last season (W0 D1 L1). The in-form Pune team would look to change the stats. The first ever meeting was hosted at Delhi, In which, both the teams shared points after a goalless draw. In the returned fixture, away team Delhi Dynamos stole all the three points as they defeated FC Pune City 1-0 in the last minutes of the game. KEY PLAYERS: FC Pune City: Lenny Rodrigues, Adrian Mutu and Bailey Delhi Dynamos: Dos Santos, Chicao and Riise PREDICTION: FC Pune City 1-2 Delhi Dynamos With the cutting in of the play area from wings and looking for goals has made Dos Santos a very lethal winger of the league. He can be a major problem for Pune's defense. Delhi Dynamos are also stable at back with the leadership of Roberto Carlos and Riise, Conceding goals is the least thing they need to worry about. On the other hand, Pune's momentum and a home fixture has made the 'favorites' for this fixture, The Stallions will approach this game in the same way like they did in the last two home games. However, Delhi Dynamos with their balance in the attack as well as defense will be a tough team for Pune to beat. An away win is predicted. MANAGER TALKS: "Good team, good players. Some dangerous individuals. We will expect a difficult game. But we respect every opposition that we will play, there’s no doubt about it. But our focus is on what we could achieve ourselves. We want to dictate how we want to play and hopefully allow the opposition to worry about us": Pune coach David Platt "The first thing I said here is that they are a great team and that’s why they have six points. Statistically speaking, it shows that they didn’t dominate both games but they are the leaders, are they not? Of course they are good": Delhi marquee player-cum-coach Roberto Carlos (The match starts 1900 IST and will be telecast on Start Sports 1/HD1/2/HD2/3/HD3) |
AUTHORSApoorrv Pandey
Yash Karkhanis RESULTSGet to know the results from the Indian Super League |