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Riding on the cushion of two wins on home turf gives FC Pune City an upper hand when they clash with Roberto Carlos’ Delhi Dynamos in the second edition of the Indian Super League at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, on Wednesday. Giving a new look to the side in every outing, David Platt will look to field a formidable side against rivals Delhi, who have just started to gain ground in this second edition of the championship.
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After being among the high-profile casualties in round one, Delhi Dynamos would like to continue their recent winning run as they face hosts FC Pune City in what could be a cliff hanger, going by the lineup of both the teams as there are many big names on both rosters to make this a close encounter. Like any other manager, both the coaches are keeping the playing eleven close to their chest, as they say, there will be some changes, but it would be disclosed only on the match day.
Placed second after Atletico de Kolkata escaped to victory 2-1 over Kerala Blasters on Tuesday evening, Pune would most probably shuffle their lineup a little but stick to their 4-3-3 formation.
Kickoff and Telecast details
Kickoff: Wednesday,14th October 2015 – 1900 IST
Venue: Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, Pune
Live Telecast: Star Sports 1, 2 and StarSports HD1, HD2
Live Stream: starsports.com
Team News
Both teams are injury-free and are looking to name a strong starting XI. Having given a chance to Ghanaian Richard Gadze to start as the striker in the last match, Delhi Dynamos could hand Adil Nabi a start today. Florent Malouda in midfield and John Arne Riise in defence have been very good, and player-manager Roberto Carlos will contribute his bit if needed.
Gustavo Dos Santos is their most reliable player and has been a threat to the rival defence in both matches. The fleet-footed Brazilian will keep Pune's defence on high alert tonight. Custodian Sanjiban Ghosh has been outstanding for the visitors and came up with his best, despite a groin injury, to keep everything that came his way out in the previous match.
Roberto Carlos has indicated that he would prefer to retain the same winning side for this match, saying, “They are playing well and why disturb the well-knit side.”
Pune City’s Lalrempuia Fanai has done very well in midfield as the Pune FC academy player has proved why he was picked early in the ISL draft. The 19-year-old kept the ball well under pressure and looked to attack down the right. It was his corner-kick which saw Zohmingliana Ralte head in an own goal in their last outing against NorthEast United.
The team is fully fit and there is nobody on the injury list. And the rotation of the team has given chances for many youngsters in the side to rub shoulders against the big names in the league. When asked why he has been naming different teams every match, coach David Platt pointed to the tight scheduling of the matches, saying, “We are playing three games in seven days, which is tight and to keep the players fit we have taken a call on the rotation.”
In the last match, he had made as many as five changes to their lineup. What was most interesting was that he opted to rest Tuncay Sanli, who scored a brace in their win over Mumbai City FC.
Probable lineups
FC Pune City (4-3-3): Arindam Bhattacharya, Dharmaraj Ravanan, Diego Colotto, Roger Johnson, Gurjinder, Didier Zokora, Lenny Rodrigues, James Bailey, Israil Gurung, Kalu Uche, Tuncay Sanli
Delhi Dynamos (4-2-3-1): Sanjiban Ghosh, Souvik Chakraborty, Anas Edathodika, John Arne Riise, Zodingliana Ralte, Hans Mulder, Chicao, Florent Malouda, Gustavo Dos Santos, Shylo, Richard Gadze
Key Battles
Tuncay Sanli vs John Arne Riise
The tournament's most in-form striker, Tuncay will provide a stiff threat to a Delhi team that have relied very heavily on John Arne Riise. With two goals so far, the Turk has shown that he still has an eye for goal, and Riise will have to keep an eye out for his clever runs and ability to get in behind the defence.
Florent Malouda vs Didier Zokora
Another pair of players who played at the top level in the Premier League, Malouda's battle against Zokora will be very crucial in deciding who comes out on top in this match. The Frenchman has been the Delhi team's creative engine, running all their attacking play from the no.10 position. Zokora will lie deep for Pune and will look to nullify the threat posed by the former Chelsea man.
Prediction
The dice is in the hosts’ favour. Their two wins in as many matches and, most importantly playing at home, give David Platt’s the added advantage. On the other hand, after the opening blues against FC Goa, Roberto Carlos and his boys have made a comeback – winning their encounter against Chennai – and will look to make the most of that momentum. The teams sharing points could be an outside chance.
Predicted score: FC Pune City 2-2 Delhi Dynamos
Betting Odds (William Hill)
Pune City – 2.00
Draw – 3.00
Delhi Dynamos – 3.75
