ISL Match Preview: Jamshedpur FC ready to take on Odisha FC with League Winners’ Shield in sight
After successfully securing their maiden Hero Indian Super League (ISL) semi-finals qualification, Jamshedpur FC looks to extend an unbeaten streak of five matches as they lock horns with Odisha FC at the Athletic Stadium, Bambolim on Friday.
The Men of Steel will be guaranteed to win the shield if they remain unbeaten in their next two games, against Odisha FC and by ATK Mohun Bagan.
Odisha FC will play their final fixture of this season and will aim to finish how they started, with a win.
In the reverse fixture between the two teams earlier in the season, JFC thrashed Odisha FC 4-0 with Greg Stewart scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist. Peter Hartley scored a goal via a corner.
Head-to-head
Jamshedpur FC have proved to be the better side in this contest with three wins to Odisha FC’s one with only a match ending in a draw.
Form Guide
Jamshedpur FC: WWWWW
Riding the wave of wins, Jamshedpur have won all their previous five matches. Even before that, Jamshedpur FC have recorded 8 wins in the last nine matches, adding 24 points.
Odisha FC: WLDLD
With only a win to talk of in the last five matches, Odisha FC have struggled to consistently convert chances in their favour, thus, dropping points with close margins.
Team News
Jamshedpur FC’s Mobashir Rahman will sit out due to suspension after receiving a red card in the previous match. Jitendra Singh will also be unavailable. Meanwhile, for Odisha FC, except Javier Hernandez, most of the players are available for selection
Key Stats
Odisha’s second-half uprising
Odisha FC have scored 17 goals in the second half of games this season, the joint second-highest behind HFC (22).
Set-pieces: Tool or weapon
JFC have scored 22 goals from set-pieces this season, more than any other side., meanwhile, Odisha FC have scored 7 goals from set-pieces this season, the joint worst of any side.
Key Players
Jamshedpur FC
TP Rehenesh: The goalkeeper needs one clean sheet to become the sole leader for most clean sheets for JFC in Hero ISL to add to his current tally of 13.
Daniel Chukwu: Finding a lost rhythm since his arrival at Jamshedpur, Chukwu has seen himself be on the scoring sheet consistently, netting five goals.
Odisha FC
Jonathas Cristian: He is the top scorer for the club with eight goals, he has provided a further four assists. With 12 goal contributions, no Odisha FC player contributed to more goals this season than Jonathas.
Lalruatthara: The defender has made 45 tackles, 25 blocks and 18 clearances in 12 matches he has played this season.
Match timings and telecast details
Match: Jamshedpur FC vs Odisha FC
Date: March 4, 2022
Venue: Athletic Stadium, Bambolim, Goa
Kick-off time: 7.30 pm IST
Telecast: Star Sports Network
Online Streaming: Disney+Hotstar and JioTV.
