ISL 2018-19: Delhi Dynamos vs Bengaluru FC- Match Preview
What's the story
Delhi Dynamos will be hosting Bengaluru FC tomorrow in their return fixture of the Indian Super League. While the hosts are ninth on the league table with 12 points from 15 matches, Bengaluru are leading the table with 31 points. They have won nine matches out of 15. Will it be as one-sided an affair as it looks on paper? Here's our match preview.
Delhi Dynamos
How are the hosts gearing up for the match?
Delhi have somewhat improved their performances towards the tail end of the season, with one win and two draws in their last three matches. Josep Gombau and his boys have managed to draw games against top sides like FC Goa and NorthEast United. Bikramjit Singh might not be able to feature in the match due to injury concerns. Adria Carmona also looks doubtful.
Bengaluru FC
Are Bengaluru ready to dominate once again?
Bengaluru have been suffering from a slump in recent times, losing to Mumbai City and Chennaiyin, which are last on the league table. They even drew their match against Kerala Blasters. If they win tomorrow, Bengaluru will guarantee themselves a spot in the play-off round. Erik Paartalu will be missing out the action after being shown his fourth yellow card of the season.
Key players
Who will be the key players in the match tomorrow?
Ulises Davila will be vital for Delhi, as his attacking instincts can help them increase their goal-scoring opportunities while Tebar will be crucial in the mid-field. The blistering pace of Lallianzuala Chhangte will also be an added advantage while attacking. Bengaluru will have players like Chhetri, Miku and Delgado to boost their scoring chances while Gurpreet will be vital in goal.
TV lisitng
Predicted line-up and TV listing
Delhi Dynamos: Dorronsoro, Gharami, Crespi, Zuiverloon, Das, Rai, Tebar, Nanda Kumar, Davila, Chhangte, Lalhlimpuia. Bengaluru FC: Sandhu, Bheke, Serran, Juanan, Kumar, Khabra, Lewis, Hernandez, Delgado, Chhetri, Miku. The match is scheduled to kick-off from 7:30 PM and can be viewed on the Star Sports network or live-streamed on Hotstar and Jio TV.
Match prediction
How can the match turn out tomorrow?
Bengaluru clearly look like the side with an advantage despite them being in poor form lately. Delhi will have to be at their absolute best if they want to stop Chhetri and Co. Even though Delhi are seeing a revival, they hardly look lethal enough to counter Bengaluru's quality. We predict the match to go 2-0 in Bengaluru's favor.
Fantasy XI
What should be the ideal Fantasy XI for the match?
Choose a 4-3-3 formation with Sandhu as the goal-keeper and Bheke and Das as the left and right backs. Serran and Crespi can be the two center-backs. Das, Khabra, and Tebar can be the mid-fielders for the match. Miku, Chhetri, and Chhangte can be the three forwards of this Fantasy XI.