Punjab FC would like to return to winning ways by registering a win against Chennaiyin.

New Delhi, 31 October (Hindustan Reporter). Punjab FC will look to get back to winning ways in the Indian Super League (ISL) match against Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium tonight. Punjab will be aiming to bounce back after a close 1-0 defeat to Bengaluru FC in their last match, while they had won their first three matches this season. At the same time, Chennaiyin FC played a thrilling 2-2 draw against FC Goa at their home ground. Currently, Punjab are fourth in the table with nine points from four matches, while Chennaiyin are sixth with eight points from five matches.

Before the match, PFC head coach Panagiotis Dilamparis said, “Our last match was not positive, but we will not change our strategy. We will stick to our plan and the players have worked hard and are following our process completely. The long gap between matches affects the flow, but we have to adapt to the situation and play our game. Chennaiyin is a good team and we expect a tough challenge tomorrow.”

Punjab FC have conceded only three goals in their four matches and remain strong in defence, with Ivan Novoselic playing a key role. The performance of Nikhil Prabhu, Vineet Rai and Philip Merzliak in the midfield has been consistently good in all four matches. Nihal Sudesh and Ezequiel Vidal have been playing brilliantly on the wings and will look to provide goal assists for the forwards.

“The ISL is a very competitive league and I am enjoying my time here,” PFC forward Ezequiel Vidal said in the pre-match press conference. “I want to score more goals and make more assists to help the team win.”

Punjab FC registered their first ISL win last season by defeating Chennaiyin FC 1-0. In the previous home match, they had faced the biggest defeat of 5-1 against Chennaiyin in ISL.

Both Chennaiyin's wins this season have been 3-2 against Odisha FC and NorthEast United FC. They lost 1–0 against Mohammedan FC and played out a goalless draw against Hyderabad FC. Conor Shields, Daniel Chima Chikwu, Lucas Brambilla, Farooq Choudhary and former Punjab FC forward Wilmar Jordan Gill have found goalscoring form, but defensive mistakes have cost them vital points this season.

The competition in the ISL table this season is extremely tough, and both the teams will try to give their best performance in this important match.