Jamshedpur FC will be keen to get back on the winning road as they take on ATK Mohun Bagan in Kolkata on Thursday. The Men of Steel are winless in their last five matches and have to start picking up points in order to stay in contention for the playoff spots in this season’s Hero Indian Super League.
Their opponents, on the other hand, have picked up two consecutive victories, beating Hyderabad FC and Bengaluru FC by a single goal each to move up the table and into the coveted playoff places.
Individual battles could be key to deciding the outcome of this contest, and here are some of the duels that would be worth taking a closer look at.
Eli Sabia vs Dimitri Petratos
Eli Sabia is back from injury and his calming presence at the back was a major boost for the Men of Steel in their last game against Kerala Blasters at the Furnace.
The defender will once again have his hands full, however, as he takes on Dimitri Petratos of ATK Mohun Bagan. Petratos has been in sparkling form this season, scoring four times for the Mariners, including a goal in the last game against Bengaluru FC.
This contest promises to be a physical one and will surely be one to keep an eye on.
Ricky Lallawmawma vs Hugo Boumous
Hugo Boumous will undoubtedly be one of the players doing the creative work up the pitch for ATKMB, and may come across the challenge of Ricky Lallawmawma on Thursday.
Boumous’ dribbling and passing ability has proven a handful in recent ISL seasons, but Ricky’s pace and understanding of the game could be the deciding factor in this one-on-one clash.
Ricky has been solid at the back in a slowish start to the season for JFC, but faces a tough test against one of the league’s most talented players in the final third.
Daniel Chima Chukwu vs Pritam Kotal
Pritam Kotal has the most interceptions in the ISL this season with 18 to his name, but facing him may be the pace and power of Daniel Chima Chukwu on Thursday.
Chima tends to outmuscle his opponents with his bulky frame and ability to hold play up, but Kotal has been smart and solid in his own right this season.
The two may well come across each other on the pitch in this clash, and it promises to be one that fans would relish watching.
