League leaders Jamshedpur will clash with Odisha in ‘Match 106’ of the 2021-22 Indian Super League season at the Athletic Stadium on Friday. A win here will help the Red Miners get one hand on the league winners’ shield, whereas the Kalinga Warriors will be aiming to put up a commendable display in their last match of the season.
Jamshedpur has been the most consistent team of the competition and was the second side to confirm their participation in the semi-finals. They are currently occupying pole position in the standings having accumulated 37 points from 18 matches.
On the other hand, Odisha never really got going this season despite assembling a formidable group of players. They are already out of the semi-final race and are placed in the seventh position with 23 points to their name from 19 matches.
Current Form
Both teams are on completely opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of current form, as while Jamshedpur is the only team to have won all of their last five matches, Odisha happens to be one of the three sides to have not won any of their last four matches.
Owen Coyle’s team will be coming into this match on the back of a 3-0 triumph against a high-flying Hyderabad team. Before taking on the Nizams, the Red Miners won 3-2 against NorthEast United and 4-1 against Chennaiyin.
Odisha has picked up a couple of points from their last three matches, courtesy of two draws. In their previous clash, Kino Garcia’s team did well to restrict semi-final candidates ATK Mohun Bagan to a 1-1 draw.
Though the point earned from that draw had no large-scale implication, it would have acted as a morale booster in the dressing room after a 2-1 defeat against Bengaluru. The Kalinga Warriors played out a thrilling 2-2 draw against Chennaiyin before taking on the Blues.
Head to Head Record
Jamshedpur has a clear advantage in terms of head-to-head statistics, as they have won three of the five meetings against Odisha. The Kalinga Warriors have emerged victorious on only one occasion, with the other game ending in a draw.
The first meeting of this season saw the Red Miners registering a 4-0 rout against Odisha. Greg Stewart scored a hat-trick for Coyle’s team, whilst the other goal was scored by Peter Hartley.
Team News
Greg Stewart is expected to make a comeback in the Jamshedpur starting XI
Coyle is likely to make three changes to the team that won 3-0 against Hyderabad. In the absence of suspended Mobashir Rahman, Alex Lima is expected to play in the double pivot alongside Pronay Halder.
This will allow the Scottish tactician to bring back Stewart, who has served his one-game suspension, into the starting XI and slot in his number 10 role. However, the former Burnley manager might subsequently have to sacrifice Eli Sabia for Anas Edathodika in a bid to maintain overseas count.
Garcia is likely to make a couple of tweaks to his starting XI that drew 1-1 against ATK Mohun Bagan. Javi Hernandez sustained an injury in that match and might not be fit to feature against the Red Miners.
In such a scenario, Aridai Cabrera is likely to take up his role as a central attacking midfielder, with Jonathas leading the lines. Besides that, Paul Ramfangzuava could replace Thoiba Singh in the middle of the park.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Jamshedpur (4-2-3-1): TP Rehenesh; Laldinliana Renthlei, Anas Edathodika, Peter Hartley, Ricky Lallawmawma; Pronay Halder, Alex Lima; Seimenlen Doungel, Greg Stewart, Ritwik Das; Daniel Chima Chukwu.
Odisha (4-2-3-1): Kamaljit Singh; Sebastian Thangmuansang, Hector Rodas, Victor Mongil, Sahil Panwar; Isaac Vanmalsawma, Paul Ramfangzuava; Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Aridai Cabrera, Redeem Tlang; Jonathas.
Prediction
Jamshedpur has been head and shoulders above Odisha this season, while the head-to-head records are also in their favor. Hence, we have predicted a 3-1 triumph of the Red Miners.
