Mumbai: FC Pune City will host Bengaluru FC in their sixth Indian Super League match at the Balewadi Sports Complex on Thursday.
The teams have nine points each, but the visitors have played a game less and are currently at the top of table. Pune, having lost two home matches, are fourth.
Pune haven’t got going at home so far, registering only a win (2-1) against Mumbai City FC through an injury time goal by Emiliano Alfaro.
They, however, won their last game in Jamshedpur courtesy defender Adil Khan’s goal and for the first time managed to keep a clean sheet.
BFC also won by an identical margin in Guwahati against NorthEast.
Besides Alfaro, Pune have Marcelinho to bank on, in attack. The duo are in form.
Lalchhuanmawia Fanai picked a red in their previous game and isn’t available on Thursday.
Pune have called in two of their reserve players Gani Ahmed Nigam and Sahil Panwar into the main squad.
Gani and Sahil will replace defenders Wayne Vaz and Pawan Kumar.
Miku and Eric Paartalu have been prolific scorers for the visitors with Sunil Chhetri to support upfront. BFC coach Alberto Roca will be keen to latch on home side’s susceptibility in defence at times, to pick up three points.
