Punjab vs Chennaiyin:  Get ready for an exciting clash in the Indian Super League as Punjab FC  take on Chennaiyin FC at the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. Punjab is 4th in the table and Chennaiyin is 6th.

Head-to-Head Record

• Chennaiyin wins: 1
• Punjab wins: 1
• Draws: 3

Last 3 Meetings:

• 11 Jan 2024 – Super Cup: Chennaiyin 1-1 Punjab
• 18 Dec 2023 – Super League: Punjab 1-0 Chennaiyin
• 29 Oct 2023 – Super League: Chennaiyin 5-1 Punjab

Form Guide

• Punjab FC: W-W-W-L
• Chennaiyin FC: W-L-D-W-D

Punjab FC comes into the game in great form, winning three of their last four matches. Meanwhile, Chennaiyin’s form has been a bit inconsistent, with two wins, two draws, and a loss in their last five games.

Key Stats

• Punjab FC has won four consecutive home matches.
• Chennaiyin hasn’t scored in one of their three away games this season but has a solid away record of 2-1-0.
• Nihal Sudeesh (Punjab) and PC Laldinpuia (Chennaiyin) each have two yellow cards so far.
• Filip Mrzljak is Punjab’s top scorer with 2 goals, while Wilmar Jordan leads Chennaiyin with 3 goals.

Possible Lineups

Punjab FC (4-3-3 Formation)

• Goalkeeper: Ravi Kumar
• Defenders: Ivan Novoselec, Nongmaikapam Suresh Meitei, Tekcham Abhishek Singh, Nikhil Prabhu
• Midfield: Vinit Rai, Nihal Sudeesh, Norberto Ezequiel Vidal
• Forwards: Leon Agustine Asokan, Khaiminthang Lhungdim, Filip Mrzljak

Chennaiyin FC (4-4-2 Formation)

• Goalkeeper: Samik Mitra
• Defenders: Bikash Yumnam, PC Laldinpuia, Ryan Edwards
• Midfield: Mandar Rao Dessai, Connor Shields, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Lukas Brambilla
• Forwards: Farukh Choudhary, Irfan Yadwad, Wilmar Jordan

Key Players to Watch

• Filip Mrzljak (Punjab FC): The midfielder plays a dual role, contributing both defensively and offensively.
• Wilmar Jordan (Chennaiyin FC): A dangerous striker, Jordan’s goals will be crucial if Chennaiyin hopes to steal points.

SWOT Analysis for Punjab vs Chennaiyin

Punjab FC

Strengths

1. Home Dominance: Punjab FC has won 4 consecutive home matches, making them formidable at home.
2. First-Half Success: They win the first half 35% of the time, which reflects their ability to start games strong.
3. Better Recent Performance: Punjab’s form in the last five matches is better than Chennaiyin’s, giving them an edge.
4. Resilient when Leading: When leading 1-0 at home, they have an 83% win rate, showing they are strong at protecting leads.

Weaknesses

1. Struggles when Conceding Early: Punjab wins only 14% of games when trailing 0-1 at home, indicating challenges in making comebacks.
2. Low Scoring Record: They average only 0.8 goals per game against Chennaiyin, which reflects issues in finishing.
3. Discipline Issues: Nihal Sudeesh leads the team in yellow cards (2), hinting at potential discipline problems.

Opportunities

1. Chennaiyin’s Away Vulnerabilities: Chennaiyin failed to score in one of their three away games this season, providing Punjab with an opportunity to capitalize.
2. Momentum from Recent Draw: The last head-to-head ended 1-1, and Punjab can build on that result to aim for a win.
3. Potential Key Player Impact: Filip Mrzljak, with two goals, could influence the match if provided proper service.

Threats

1. Chennaiyin’s Ability to Bounce Back: When down 1-0 away, Chennaiyin wins 33% of the time, posing a comeback threat.
2. Close Head-to-Head Record: Both teams have won one game each across the last five meetings, suggesting Punjab cannot underestimate Chennaiyin.

Chennaiyin FC

Strengths

1. Balanced Head-to-Head Record: Chennaiyin holds one win and three draws in their last five meetings against Punjab, with a goal advantage of 7-4.
2. Away Record: They have a strong away record this season (2-1-0), showing they are comfortable playing on the road.
3. Wilmar Jordan’s Scoring Form: With three goals, Jordan is a key attacking weapon for Chennaiyin.

Weaknesses

1. Struggles to Hold Leads Away: Chennaiyin has a 0% win rate when leading 1-0 away, indicating difficulty in closing games.
2. Inconsistent First-Half Performance: Chennaiyin wins only 20% of first halves, often leaving them chasing the game.
3. Discipline Issues: PC Laldinpuia also has two yellow cards, suggesting potential discipline-related challenges.

Opportunities

1. Wilmar Jordan’s Form: Leveraging Jordan’s form could tilt the game in Chennaiyin’s favor.
2. History of High-Scoring Matches: They beat Punjab 5-1 last season, showing that Chennaiyin can deliver explosive performances.
3. Punjab’s Vulnerability When Trailing: Punjab struggles when down 0-1 at home, providing Chennaiyin with a strategic advantage if they score first.

Threats

1. Punjab’s Home Fortress: Punjab has won their last four home games, making this an extremely challenging away fixture.
2. Recent Poor Form: Chennaiyin has shown inconsistency in recent matches, affecting their momentum.
3. Punjab’s Better Performance in ISL: Punjab has performed better than Chennaiyin in the league, which could play on Chennaiyin’s confidence.

Punjab vs Chennaiyin Prediction

Punjab FC’s recent home form makes them favorites, with a 43.5% chance of winning. Chennaiyin has a respectable away record, but they’ve struggled to maintain consistency.

Prediction: Punjab FC 1-1 Chennaiyin FC

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