Chennaiyin FC players during a practice session against Jamshedpur FC on Sunday. (file photo)
Jamshedpur FC will begin their new year with Chennaiyin FC in the 47th match of the 2021-22 Indian Super League (ISL) at the Athletic Stadium here on Sunday.
Chennaiyin FC lost their last match against Bengaluru FC and will look to pick up some form to stay in the race for a top four spot.
Jamshedpur FC, on the other hand, played out a 1-1 draw against Kerala Blasters FC in their previous encounter but have been in excellent form and will certainly look to challenge Chennaiyin FC.
Jamshedpur have done well in the ISL 2021-22 season so far and have managed to win three out of their eight matches while drawing four and losing only once.
They are unbeaten in the last three matches, the most recent being a 1-1 draw against Kerala Blasters FC.
Chennaiyin is not doing its best this season.
They have faced three wins and as many losses in eight matches and have struggled for form in recent matches.
They have now lost two matches in a row, the most recent being a match against Bengaluru FC that placed them sixth in the points table.
The team’s new signing Nerijus Valskis will undergo a one-day quarantine and miss the match against his former team but coach Bandovic confirmed he has no injury concerns.
The team will miss midfielder Ariel Borsiuk, who will be ruled out of the match due to a hamstring injury, it will be known in the coming days.
All eyes will also be on Mirlan Murzaev, who will look to continue his form against Jamshedpur FC after scoring a goal and helping in his last match.
He has scored two goals and assists so far. 30-year-old defender Regan Singh has been rock solid for Chennaiyin FC this season as he made 30 clearances, 27 tackles, 13 blocks and sixteen interceptions.
For Jamshedpur FC, Mobashir Rahman is back in training and could play against Chennaiyin FC for a few minutes. Pranay Halder and Semillen
Dongel has resumed light training following injuries but a decision on his participation will be taken closer to the match.
Greg Stewart, who scored his first hat-trick of the season, has five goals and four assists to his name, while Ricky Lllawmawma has featured in eight games and made 18 clearances, 25 tackles, 10 blocks and twelve interceptions for the Red Minors. Defense will be important.
Jamshedpur FC and Chennaiyin FC have both been up against each other on eight occasions in the ISL, with the latter winning three games out of the former’s two wins to hold a modest lead.
They last met in February 2021 when Jamshedpur FC came out on top with a 1-0 win.
(Inputs from IANS)
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