Punjab FC vs Chennaiyin FC Prediction: Punjab lost to Chennaiyin 5-1 last time

Punjab FC will welcome Chennaiyin FC in Gameweek 11 of the Indian Super League at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi. Punjab FC lost to Chennaiyin FC 5-1 in the last game they met. Who will win? 

After completing 10 games in the ISL, Punjab FC continues its quest for the elusive first victory. Despite coming close to securing a win, such as in their inspiring performance against Mumbai City FC or the 3-3 draw against Bengaluru FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, sustaining a phase of promising form for an extended period remains a challenge.

Punjab FC has faced difficulties in asserting dominance over the proceedings, maintaining a possession rate of only 43.7% throughout the season, the lowest among all teams. They have been vulnerable in defense, conceding 15 goals from within the 18-yard area, the highest among all teams.

To increase their chances of success, Punjab FC needs to focus on ball possession, exploring additional avenues to break deadlocks, and creating numerical advantages inside the opponent's box. By being more enterprising in their offensive efforts, they can enhance their overall performance. While they have demonstrated valor in certain matches by taking the game to the opposition, as seen in the aforementioned encounters, adopting this approach more consistently can yield the desired outcomes in future matches.

Kiran Chemjong (GK); K Lhungdim, Suresh Meitei, Dimitros Chatziisaias, Nitesh Darjee; Prashant K, Ashis Pradhan, Nikhil Prabhu, Krishnananda Singh; Jordan Wilmar Gil, Luka Majcen.

For Chennaiyin FC, an opportunity arises to secure back-to-back victories and establish a positive momentum, especially in the context of the intensified competition for the top six spots in the table. Notably, they have maintained an unbeaten record in their last three away games, with the exception being longer stretches in 2018 and 2020, where they went undefeated for five matches each time. While Chennaiyin FC was recently positioned in the lower half of the table, some sporadic positive results have started to tilt the fortunes in their favor.

The crucial task at hand is to consolidate this form and capitalize on it to the fullest extent. Owen Coyle's distinctive coaching philosophy, evident in his impressive resume, suggests the potential dividends that can be reaped with proper adherence. The attacking trio of Crivellaro, Murray, and Connor Shields brings a combination of pace, precision, and power to the Chennaiyin FC front line. When functioning cohesively, this trio has the capacity to dismantle defenses and pose significant challenges to the opposition.

On the other hand, Punjab FC has shown vulnerabilities in defense, conceding 17 goals in 10 matches. This weakness presents opportunities for Chennaiyin FC to exploit, with Crivellaro expected to play a central role in creating chances that could trouble the home side. In any case, it is anticipated to be a match where Coyle can rely on his forwards to potentially generate a goal-fest.

Debjit Mazumdar (GK); Bikash Yumnam, Cirkovic, Ryan Edwards, Ankit Mukherjee; Ayush Adhikari, Jiteshwor Singh; Ninthoi Meetei, Rafa Crivellaro, Vincy Barreto, Conor Shields.

Occupying just one position above the bottom, Punjab has little room for complaints regarding their performance this season. Their upcoming match is against a Chennaiyin side that comes off a significant victory against Bengaluru. This success has the capacity to boost the morale of the Chennaiyin squad, which endured a four-game winless streak. Owen Coyle's team showcased a remarkable performance in the previous encounter against Punjab, and they possess the potential to replicate such a display in the upcoming fixture as well.