Bengaluru FC Vs Chennaiyin FC
A lot more than three points will be at stake when neighbours and rivals Bengaluru FC and Chennaiyin FC clash at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru to keep their Hero Indian Super League (ISL) playoff hopes alive on Saturday. The Blues are three points off sixth place but have played a game more. Meanwhile, the Marina Machans are five points off the final playoff spot that Odisha FC currently occupy.
The momentum is with Bengaluru FC in this crucial encounter as they have won their last three Hero ISL games leading up to this game. Last week, the Blues sailed past Jamshedpur FC with a 3-0 win. In their last three games, Bengaluru FC have doubled their goal tally for the season, scoring eight and conceding just two in the process.
Head coach Simon Grayson will be pleased to see his star attacker Roy Krishna regaining his form. The Fijian has scored four goals this season, with two coming in the last two Hero ISL games for Bengaluru FC.
Odisha FC Vs ATK Mohun Bagan
Two points separate ATK Mohun Bagan and Odisha FC as the two sides go toe-to-toe in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday. The sides are occupying the last two playoff spots, and the victor will be able to establish a safety cushion, leaving the other vulnerable to the teams chasing the final playoff spot.
The primary aim for fifth-placed ATK Mohun Bagan this season is to finish third – a spot they can reclaim with a win against Odisha FC. However, the Mariners have won only one out of their last five Hero ISL games. Additionally, ATK Mohun Bagan have also failed to score in four of their last five matches.
Last week, head coach Juan Ferrando had to settle for a point after his side’s goalless draw against Chennaiyin FC. That result followed a narrow 1-0 defeat at home against Mumbai City FC. This season, the Mariners have never gone three consecutive games without a win.
At home, ATK Mohun Bagan have been solid, winning five out of seven games in their backyard. The return of Glan Martins on loan from FC Goa has strengthened the Mariners’ midfield behind the prolific striker Dimitri Petratos, who has scored five goals and assisted six in 13 Hero ISL games this season.
