In the second match of Matchday 3 of the 2023-24 Indian Super League season, Jamshedpur will take on Hyderabad at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Thursday.
With new-look teams and new coaches, both teams have had a difficult start to their respective seasons. Jamshedpur drew their first match before losing their second game. With just one point in their account from two matches, the Red Miners are placed seventh in the points table.
On the other hand, Hyderabad’s situation is not any better either. They have played only one match so far, which resulted in a heartbreaking defeat to East Bengal. With no points in their account, Hyderabad are placed ninth in the standings.
What have they done so far?
For Jamshedpur, the start of the new ISL season also marked the start of their journey under Scott Cooper, because they had sent the reserves to play in the Durand Cup. However, the English tactician has not had a smooth start to his life in India. In the first match, the Red Miners could barely manage a goalless draw against East Bengal, thanks to their custodian, TP Rehenesh’s series of saves and a masterclass defensive showing from Brazilian central defender Elsinho.
Unfortunately for them, the defense was finally breached in the second match against Kerala Blasters. After holding on to a 0-0 scoreline for much of the duration of the game, a 74th-minute strike from Adrian Luna ruined all of Cooper’s plans. It is clear by now that the 2021-22 league winners are struggling to score goals, which is something they would be desperate to change in the next match.
On the other hand, Hyderabad fielded much of their first-team squad in the Durand Cup, although a few of their overseas recruits did not feature. Under the guidance of Thangboi Singto and the stewardship of Conor Nestor, the Nizams have not looked threatening, with their key players from previous seasons in Halicharan Narzary and Bartholomew Ogbeche not being a part of the squad this time around.
Hyderabad has played only one game so far, where they lost to East Bengal by a 2-1 margin. Hitesh Sharma scored the early goal for the Nizams before a stunning brace from Cleiton Silva downed Nestor’s team to a 2-1 defeat in their ISL 2023-24 opener.
Head to Head Record
When it comes to head-to-head records, Jamshedpur holds the upper hand in this particular tie. These teams have met 8 times, with Jamshedpur winning three of those games and Hyderabad winning only one. The other four games were tied.
In the last meeting, which was back in February this year, Jamshedpur got a 3-2 win. Ritwik Das, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Daniel Chima Chukwu scored for the Red Miners, while Ogbeche netted a brace for the Nizams.
Team News
Given that they suffered a defeat in their last match against Kerala Blasters, it is expected that Cooper will make plenty of chances to his starting XI.
One of those changes could be a forced one, as the new signing from NorthEast United, Imran Khan was injured in the previous fixture. In his place, old war horse Ricky Lallawmawma can be handed a start. Youngster Nikhil Barla looked out of depth while dealing with the pacy wingers of Kerala Blasters, and might have to make way for Emil Benny in this match.
In attack, Alen Stevanovic might be the captain of the side currently, but he has hardly looked threatening over the last two games. Meanwhile, Japanese signing Rei Tachikawa did well as a substitute in the last game. Tachikawa could be handed a start in this game, while after a poor performance against the Tuskers, Seimenlen Doungel might be asked to make room for Nongdongba Naorem.
Similarly, Singto and Nestor are also expected to make changes to the Hyderabad starting XI. Goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani was injured in the match against East Bengal, which might pave the way for Gurmeet Singh who has returned from Asian Games duty. Star signing from Mexico, central defender Oswaldo Alanis only played as a substitute in the last game, but he is expected to be handed a start here.
Vignesh Dakshimurthy could start in the left-back position for Hyderabad
If Alanis comes to defense, Joao Victor will be freed to play in his usual role as a midfielder, dropping Petteri Pennanen to the bench. In the left-back position, Major Mohammed had a day to forget against his former team, which is the reason why he might be asked to make way for Vignesh Dakshinamurthy. Finally, in attack, Brazilian striker Felipe Amorim could barely be seen against the Torchbearers and Costa Rica’s Jonathan Moya could be given a start in his place.
Predicted XIs
Jamshedpur (3-4-2-1): TP Rehenesh; Pratik Chowdhary, Elsinho, PC Laldinpuia; Emil Benny, Pronay Halder, Jeremy Manzorro, Ricky Lallawmawma; Nongdongba Naorem, Rei Tachikawa; Daniel Chima Chukwu.
Hyderabad (4-3-3): Gurmeet Singh; Nikhil Poojary, Nim Dorjee Tamang, Oswaldo Alanis, Vignesh Dakshinamurthy; Hitesh Sharma, Joao Victor, Sahil Tavora; Mohammad Yasir, Jonathan Moya, Joe Knowles.
Prediction
Although Hyderabad started their campaign with a loss, they have enough good players in the squad to beat any given team on their day. Considering Jamshedpur’s problems in front of the goal, the Nizams are the favorites to take all three points from this game.