Jamshedpur FC prepares for a serious test against FC Pune City at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Saturday. A match that might clear out the table positions this season will be one to watch out for, given FC Pune City's rise from the bottom.
Jamshedpur FC is that club in the league, neither with the top-hunters nor with the bottom-strugglers.
JFC is currently fifth on the ISL table with 23 points from 15 games. If the club misses a playoff spot this season too, it would be a drawback to let go of the next round at the closing stages for a second consecutive time.
Hence, Cesar Ferrando would be aiming at three wins from the remaining three games, to change the team's fortunes.
An exciting and vital victory against FC Mumbai City by regaining control over the game has boosted Jamshedpur with much-needed confidence.
FC Pune City has once again become the 'dream-killer' to many other clubs. The team has begun ending the game with positive results, a bit late in the season.
After an initial gloomy phase and crashing out of odds to the next round, Pune has now gone four consecutive matches without a defeat.
Pradhyum Reddy previously and Phil Brown now has taken the team to the sixth position with 15 points from 14 games.
However, keeping out the objective for the season, the coach would now be happy with the game played by the Stallions.
ALSO SEE: ISL Standings | ISL Schedule | ISL Results
Jamshedpur FC vs FC Pune City: Match Information
Date: 16 February 2019
Kickoff: 7:30 PM IST
Live Stream: Star Sports Network and Hotstar
Live commentary: Jamshedpur FC vs Pune City Live Score | Commentary and Updates
Venue: JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur
Jamshedpur FC vs FC Pune City: Team News
Jamshedpur FC
Tim Cahill remains injured in the Jamshedpur squad.
FC Pune City
Pune City does not have any confirmed injury or suspensions.
Jamshedpur FC vs FC Pune City: Probable Lineups
Jamshedpur FC (4-2-3-1): Subrata Paul, Robin Gurung, Pratik Chowdhary, Tiri, Dhanachandra Singh, Mario Arques, Memo, Pablo Morgado, Bikash Jairu, Sergio Cidoncha, Farukh Choudhary
FC Pune City (3-4-3): Kamaljit Singh, Sarthak Golui, Martin Diaz, Sahil Panwar, Adil Khan, Marko Stankovic, Diego Carlos, Ashique Kuruniyan, Robin Singh, Marcelo Pereira, Iain Hume
Jamshedpur FC vs FC Pune City: Form Guide
Jamshedpur FC: W-L-D-W-L
FC Pune City: D-W-W-W-L
Jamshedpur FC vs FC Pune City: Head-to-Head
Jamshedpur FC: 0
FC Pune City: 3
Draw: 0
Jamshedpur FC vs FC Pune City: Key Players
Jamshedpur FC
Jamshedpur FC is in a state of nothing less than a win and one man who can take them the team to this would be Sergio Cidoncha.
With three goals and three assists completed, Cidoncha has a crucial role to play in the absence of Tim Cahill. JFC would be having another key feeder in the form of Memo fielded at the central midfield.
FC Pune City
FC Pune City has star attractions in the lineup, out of whom Iain Hume would be a crucial presence against Jamshedpur.
Having not yet opened the scoring this season, this encounter would be the best slot for the Canadian forward to begin the attacks. Marcelinho will play the perfect supporter and if needed, the sole attack-bearer for the Men in Orange.
Jamshedpur FC vs FC Pune City: Predictions
Numbers speak completely in favor of Pune City, having victories in all the 3 previous encounters with Jamshedpur.
However, things are different this season and Pune's 'cool head' has been a trouble for the opponents. Taking these into account, it might be a home defeat for the Men in Steel.
Predicted Score - Jamshedpur FC 0-2 FC Pune City