Punjab FC vs. Bengaluru FC Prediction: Punjab yet to beat Bengaluru

Punjab FC will go against Bengaluru FC in Gameweek 13 of the Indian Super League at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi. Punjab are yet to beat Bengaluru and will be hoping to do exactly that at home. Who will win? 

There are both reasons for optimism and concern for Punjab as they approach their upcoming matches. On a positive note, the team has demonstrated strength at home, having lost only twice in front of their home crowd this season. Additionally, they have managed to keep clean sheets in two out of the last four ISL matches, showcasing defensive solidity.

However, there are factors that may cause apprehension among Punjab supporters. The team's inability to secure a victory in any of the Kalinga Cup games raises doubts about their form and confidence. Furthermore, Punjab has yet to reach double figures in terms of goals scored this campaign, indicating a struggle to find the back of the net consistently.

Despite these challenges, coach Staikos Vergetis remains optimistic about the team's prospects in the upcoming game. Punjab will aim to widen the gap between themselves and the bottom-ranked Hyderabad in the upcoming matches, capitalizing on their strong home performances. Fortunately, there are no injury concerns for Punjab ahead of the game.

Melwin Assisi emerged as Punjab's standout player in the final Kalinga Cup group match against Gokulam Kerala. As a winger, he is expected to play a key role in the upcoming matches, and his performance will be closely watched. Although he has scored one goal this season, he has yet to provide any assists, and his contribution will be vital to Punjab's success.

Kiran Chemjong; K Lhungdim, N Meitei, Dimitri Chatziisaias, Mohammed Salah; Juan Mera, Amarjit Singh Kiyam, Nikhil Prabhu, Brandon Vanlalremdika; Luka Majcen, Wilmar Jordan

There are reasons for optimism and concern as Bengaluru prepares for their upcoming match. On a positive note, the team demonstrated their attacking prowess by scoring three goals in their last match against Punjab. Additionally, Bengaluru has maintained an unbeaten record in games against Punjab, adding to their confidence.

However, there are also reasons for apprehension. Bengaluru's disappointing performance in the Kalinga Cup, where they failed to secure any wins, raises doubts about their form and ability to perform consistently. Furthermore, the team's recent struggle to find the back of the net is evident, as they have scored just one goal in their last three matches.

Despite these challenges, Bengaluru showed promising signs in the first half of the Indian Super League matches, particularly with two unbeaten matches leading up to the Kalinga Cup. Although the cup competition did not yield the desired results, there are still positives to take from their recent performances. Surprisingly, Bengaluru finds themselves in a position to break into the top six with a victory in the upcoming game, despite their struggles earlier in the season.

The impact of Gerard Zaragoza, appointed in mid-December, continues to be positive for the team, albeit with the absence of Salam Johnson Singh due to injury. Among the standout performers, Francisco Javier Hernández has emerged as a key player, particularly in midfield, and he is expected to play a crucial role for Bengaluru in the upcoming match.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu; Naorem Roshan, Aleksandar Jovanovic, Keziah Veendorp, Jessel Carneiro; Suresh Singh Wangjam, Harsh Patre, Javi Hernandez, Halicharan Narzary; Sunil Chhetri, Ryan Williams

Bengaluru and Punjab are closely matched in various aspects, making this upcoming match a tight contest where opportunities may be scarce for both teams. Throughout the season, both teams have averaged around a goal per game. Despite the previous encounter between these clubs yielding a total of six goals, the dynamics of the upcoming game are likely to be quite different.