Jamshedpur FC will be travelling to Kolkata to play the return match of the last leg of the ISL 2018-19 with ATK at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. They will be looking for a victory here in order to improve their position in the league table. ATK, on the other hand, will be looking for a win if they want to feature in the playoffs as they have done over the last four years. In the three matches that they have played so far, ATK has not been able to overcome the Men of Steel. ATK will be hoping that they have a better fortune this time against a team who has just held FC Goa to a draw.
ATK
Surprisingly the two-time champions have been below the standards they have set for themselves over the previous four years in the ISL. That Steve Coppell has strong defence line is evident from the 11 goals that they have conceded so far in the 13 matches they have played so far. Placed fifth in the league table with 17 points they are just three points behind Jamshedpur FC a win in this match means they will supersede Jamshedpur FC. They have scored only scored 12 goals in the competition and with a view to improving on that they have signed Edu Garcia who scored a goal in the last drawn match against Kerala Blasters.
Jamshedpur FC
Placed sixth in the league table with 20 points, they have as many as 8 draws in the 13 games that they have played. Cessar Ferrando would like to change the tight results in his team's favour. He too favours the 4-2-3-1 combination like Steve Coppell does. Jamshedpur FC has scored 21 goals and has let in 14 so far. They will have to tighten their defence in the upcoming match against ATK. They have not kept a clean sheet since their first match of the season and that can prove to be a hindrance to their qualifying for the playoffs.
Head to head
The two teams have played only three games against each other as Jamshedpur FC joined the league only last year. But the Men of Steel have not yet conceded defeat to ATK.
Recent Form
ATK is going into the match with a win, three draws and a loss while Jamshedpur FC has not lost a match in their last five outings and have two wins to their credit. Both the teams have earned hard-fought draws ain their last outings.
Players to watch
ATK will have Kalu Uche up front backed by Manuel Lanzarote and Edu Garcia. Garcia, an ex-Bengaluru FC player, has 3 goals and 5 assists playing for the southerners and has already scored a goal in his last outing for ATK against Kerala Blasters.
In the Jamshedpur squad, Michael Sosairaj is the player to mark. His lightning runs down the flanks and the pinpoint crosses could do a lot of damage. Sergio Cidoncha will be their main striker in the absence of the injured Tim Cahill.
My bet
This game is crucial for both the teams but with Edu Bedia, Kalu Uche and Manuel Lanzarote I think that ATK has the wherewithal to put it beyond Jamshedpur FC this time. I will place a small bet in favour of ATK winning the game.
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