Jamshedpur FC will host Chennaiyin FC in an Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 match at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, here on Saturday, having playoffs challenge on the line.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jamshedpur FC currently sit in 10th place with five points on board, whereas Chennaiyin FC sit in 7th place with 14 points on the board and a chance to challenge both FC Goa and Odisha FC for their playoff spots after both teams have dropped points in recent weeks.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chennaiyin have a game in hand against both these teams and two wins in their next two games could propel them straight into the playoffs zone on the standings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, both sides in this fixture are coming in on the back of losses. Jamshedpur FC lost 3-1 in Kochi to an inspired Kerala Blasters side, and Chennaiyin FC toiled hard before succumbing to a 2-1 loss to in-form Mumbai City FC.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite sticking to the back-three formation that earned them a point against FC Goa two weeks ago, Jamshedpur FC could not hold Kerala Blasters' high-press approach last week. It remains to be seen if their head coach Aidy Boothroyd will stick with this formation in the upcoming game or tinker further.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Boothroyd suggested that his side needs to start games a lot better.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It's clearly something that will make a big difference to our points and, therefore, our place in the table if we stop conceding these ridiculous goals at key times in a match," the coach said in the pre-match press conference.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chennaiyin FC haven't won a game since their dominant 7-3 win over NorthEast United FC on December 10. Abdelnasser El Khayati was in supreme form on the day. He scored a hat-trick in that match and is still leading the ISL goalscoring charts, alongside Cleiton Silva and Lallianzuala Chhangte, with seven goals. With him in the side, Chennaiyin FC pose a threat to every team in the league.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chennaiyin FC head coach Thomas Brdaric played down the expectations when asked about top-4 and title-winning ambitions in his pre-match press conference.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We came here to develop, and we start from zero - from the beginning. We build a team, we develop a team, and we are competitive," Brdaric said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The two sides have faced each other 11 times. Chennaiyin FC hold the upper hand in the head-to-head meetings with five wins, three losses, and three draws. When the two sides met in November, Chennaiyin FC won 3-1. Peter Sliskovic, Vincy Barretto, and El Khayati were on target for Chennaiyin FC, whereas Ishan Pandita scored the only goal for Jamshedpur FC.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We came here to develop, and we start from zero - from the beginning. We build a team, we develop a team, and we are competitive," Brdaric said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n