ISL: FC Pune City vs Atletico de Kolkata - What we can expect - Preview and Prediction

FC Pune City host Atletico de Kolkata in a very important clash for both teams

When FC Pune City last met the then league leaders Atletico de Kolkata on November 7, it was the classic top versus bottom battle between the two teams. Pune of course, came out on top, handsomely, as they handed the home team their first defeat, and thereby started on their own road to recovery from the bottom to the very top. Come November 29, and Pune finds itself in familiar waters at seventh place with Kolkata in the second.

Pune will hope to recreate its 'giant killing' form, while Kolkata will look to avenge their defeat on their home turf and return Pune a long outstanding debt.

Venue

Pune will be looking to make full use of the home crowd advantage. The match will be played at the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi. Pune has had a good run on its home ground, with its supporters usually cheering on the team to pull off wins. They will want to climb out of the bottom, and find a place in the top four, for the semi-finals.

Kick-off

November 29, 7 pm IST

Probable Line-ups

Atletico de Kolkata: (4-2-3-1) In its previous game against Kerala Blasters FC, Kolkata were unlucky to have lost after having come agonisingly close to getting a draw. A last minute goal by Luis Garcia, which was disallowed, was the cause of the conundrum at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on November 21. Kolkata are unlikely to change the well set juggernaut (despite it having run into an obvious roadblock in the previous game) for the match against Pune.

Team: Roy, Mohan, Josemi, Arnab, Baljit, Borja, Nato, Lester, Arnal, Jofre, Fikru

The reason why manager Antonio Lopez will be looking to play the same formation is because the line-up is a close knit one, where Fikru as a lone striker will be well assisted by Jofre, Arnal and Lester behind him. It was sad to see them not claw out a draw in their previous encounter, but Lopez will be looking to seal off the semi-final berth with a win on Pune's home turf. And with Kolkata well known for its aggressive game-play and clinical habits in front of goal, there is a good chance of that happening.

FC Pune City: (4-4-2) Pune have employed the three man defence, the 4-3-2-1 and the 4-2-3-1 line up to disastrous results in the past as well as the recent past. The 4-4-2 has been a standard safe option for them and has worked well. Even though they have been hampered by the unavailability of the charismatic John Goossens, a two-man strike force is something that has always been a positive for them.

Coach Franco Colomba, might perhaps want to look at the 4-4-2 line up to threaten the Kolkata defence. Also, it is important to note that Pune employed the same formation against them in the 3-1 victory at the Salt Lake Stadium.

Team: Dudu, Trezeguet, Pennant, Katsouranis, Lenny, Park, Sarkar, Wadoo, Cirillo, Ravanan, Arindam

There are interesting options that Colomba has, which he can shuffle around. Playing Pennant on the wings might be a useful option as that’s where he can do the most damage.

Line-ups: FC Pune City (red) vs Atletico de Kolkata (Blue)

Key battles

Fikru vs Arindam: The reason why we detailed Fikru against Arindam is because of the contest between the striker's blistering pace and the goalkeeper's ability to deflect shots. While Fikru will be at his lethal best, Arindam too has had good exposure in blocking his efforts during the previous encounter. On the whole, it will be important to see whether Pune's shaky defence stands solid against the Kolkata line up.

Pennant vs Borja: The battle for the game will be majorly fought in the midfield. And with the likes of both Pennant and Borja playing on the opposing teams it will be anyone's game. The reason why the battle has focussed on a mid-fielder (Borja) and a winger (Pennant) is because Pennant has regularly shifted during the course of Pune's games from a role on the wing to one in the mid-field.

It would be an interesting contest to see the same during the course of the match today. More predictably though, the game will belong to the team which manages to make inroads early on in the game and unsettle the opposition. And both these players are capable of helping their teams do the same.

Trezeguet vs Roy: The reason why we listed both the striker from the two teams against the keepers is because of their ability to score goals out of nothing, and the fact that they can create space for the others as well. Trezeguet, who is a poacher, will be looking to free himself and sneak in past the defence to score. Roy on the other hand has had a decent tournament, but has still been one of the best custodians in the tournament.

Whether or not he will be able to handle Trezeguet or will the latter get better of him, only the game will decide. Nevertheless it will be an interesting battle to watch.

Prediction

We predict Pune to take the game in a thrilling encounter with the final scoreline reading 3-2 in favour of the home team.