Atletico de Kolkata are all set to welcome Delhi Dynamos FC for their second home game of ISL 2017 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday. Both teams are struggling at the bottom half of the table, with just one win in 5 games so far this season and would like to turn around things quickly.
Atletico de Kolkata are coming into this game on the back of a much-needed away win against Mumbai City FC and would like to continue the momentum. They have conceded 4 goals in their last home game against the Stallions and are still looking for their first home win of the season.
On the other side, Delhi Dynamos are currently at the bottom of the league table with 1 win and 4 losses in their 5 games this season. They are also on a 4-game losing streak and would be eager to change things quickly. Their first win of the season came in an away game and they will surely be hoping for favourable results tonight.
Historically, ATK and DD have played 4 draws out of 6 games and are currently on level terms with 1 win each.
Atletico de Kolkata
Atletico de Kolkata head coach Teddy Sheringham is quite happy after their first win of the season and is looking for similar results going forward in the season. However, he is still not fully satisfied with the performance of his side and will change a couple of things to make it even better.
The loss of Eugeneson Lyngdoh is surely going to increase problems for the Kolkata-based club. We are expecting Kuqi, Bipin and Keegan to replace Robin, Tylor and Ashutosh in the starting XI to boost their attack. He will continue to field his side in 4-4-1-1 formation with Robbie Keane playing more part in build-up.
Atletico de Kolkata Probable Starting XI: Debjit, Prabir, Keegan, Thorpe, Ali, Rupart, Thomas, Bipin, Zequinha, Keane, Kuqi.
Delhi Dynamos FC
Delhi Dynamos are currently on a losing streak of 4 games, which is the longest losing streak of this season. They are coming here on the back of a big 1-5 defeat to FC Goa and will surely need to make improvement in defence.They have failed to keep a single clean-sheet so far this season and have conceded 14 goals, which is the most by a single team in ISL 2017.
With Cichero serving red-card suspension, we are expecting Cichero, Rodrigues, Vinit and Romeo to make way for Chhangte, Pratik, Ralte and Mirabaje in the starting XI. The Delhi head coach will field his boys in traditional formation of 4-4-2 to keep a balance in attack and defence.
Delhi Dynamos FC Probable Starting XI: Sukhdev, Pritam, Pratik, Munmun, Sena Ralte, Mirabaje, Paulinho, Jeroen, Chhangte, Guyon, Uche.
Delhi Dynamos FC Probable Starting XI
Author's Prediction
Atletico de Kolkata 1-1 Delhi Dynamos FC
With both sides having more focus towards the back, we are expecting a cagey encounter tonight between Atletico de Kolkata and Delhi Dynamos. The role of set-pieces is going to be crucial as the teams are most probably going to share 1 point each.