ISL final, Bengaluru FC vs Chennaiyin FC: Preview, probable XI and where to watch

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Bengaluru, March 16: League stage leaders and the undisputed dominant side, Bengaluru FC, are one step away from bagging the Indian Super League title in their debut ISL season. A final against Chennaiyin FC - the second-placed team in the group stage who were eight points behind Bengaluru FC (40) in the league phase - will decide the winner at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday (March 17).

The format of the ISL is unlike other leagues where the leaders will take home the title. The ISL features a knockout format too, where the top-four play two-legged semi-finals and a final, and then a champion emerges.

Bengaluru FC, coached by Albert Roca, led the league phase for most period in the ISL, which began back in November 2017. The two-time I-League and two-time Federation Cup champions proved their mettle in the glitzy ISL too but they have one more hurdle to cross before being declared the best in Indian football.

"I expect a difficult and tight game," coach Albert Roca told reporters on Friday (March 16). "The boys have to control their emotions for us to build upon our chances. We're creating the options and we're working on the little things. By the end of the match, if we show that we're able to control, we'll win it."

BFC will be without the injured Harmanjot Khabra and Collin Abranches for the final. Full-back Subhasish Bose will also miss the game after receiving a one-game suspension for picking up four yellows. Roca is expected to employ Rahul Bheke and Nishu Kumar as the two full-backs with John Johnson and Juanan Gonzalez as the central defenders. Lenny Rodrigues, Dimas Delgado, Erik Paartalu or Toni Dovale will make up the midfield, while the front-line will be charged by Sunil Chhetri, Miku and Udanta Singh.

Chennaiyin FC come with a full squad and are expected to the field the same XI as the FC Goa semi-final. Jeje Lalpekhlua plays the lone forward but the midfield will be packed by three Indians - Dhanpal Ganesh, Bikramjit Singh and Francisco Fernandes and two foreigners - Raphale Augusto and Gregory Nelson. The four-man defence will be led by captain Henrique Soreno, who will be ably assisted by Mailson Alves, with Inigo Calderon and Jerry Lalrinzuala coming up as the two full-backs. Karanjit Singh will man the goal for Chennaiyin FC, while India No 1 Gurpreet Singh Sandhu will be at his opposite end.

Chennaiyin FC have been the champions before in 2015 after beating FC Goa, but the current final will be a difficult one for them.

"They are playing in the ISL final for the first time but we're here to lift the trophy," Chennaiyin FC's star striker Jeje Lalpekhlua told reporters on Friday (March 16). "We'll give everything we've got. Bengaluru is a good side and compared to the FC Goa of 2015, it's more difficult. That's because the ISL has improved and the game has become more pacey."

"I still remember lifting the I-League trophy with Mohun Bagan in Bengaluru (two years ago) and hope that will happen again tomorrow. I always look to play in front of packed crowds. But there will be no pressure on me. The pressure will be on Bengaluru FC as they are playing in front of home fans and need to do well against them," the Mizo striker, who has struck nine times this season, added.

Road to final:

ISL fixtures | Results | Points table

Bengaluru FC:

Topped the league stage with 40 points in 18 games - 13 wins, one draw and four losses.

They beat FC Pune City 3-1 on aggregate with Sunil Chhetri scoring a hat-trick in the ISL semi-final.

Miku is their top-scorer with 14 goals in 20 appearances. Sunil Chhetri accounts for 13 goals in 20 matches.

Chennaiyin FC:

Second in the league stage with 32 points in 18 games - nine wins, five draws and four losses

They beat FC Goa 4-1 on aggregate with Jeje Lalpekhlua scoring a brace in the ISL semi-final.

Jeje Lalpekhlua has nine goals in 19 appearances for Chennaiyin FC.

Fun fact - Mailson Alves, Raphael Augusto, Jeje Lalpekhlua and Karanjit Singh were part of Chennaiyin FC squad when the won the ISL in 2015.

Probable XI

Bengaluru FC: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK),

Rahul Bheke, John Johnson, Juanan Gonzalez, Nishu Kumar,

Lenny Rodrigues, Dimas Delgado, Toni Dovale,

Udanta Singh, Miku, Sunil Chhetri (captain)

Chennaiyin FC: Karanjit Singh (GK),

Inigo Calderon, Henrique Soreno (captain), Mailson Alves, Jerry Lalrinzuala

Raphaele Augusto, Dhanpal Ganesh, Francisco Fernandes, Bikramjit Singh, Gregory Nelson,

Jeje Lalpekhlua

What they said:

I am happy for the franchise and the city. We're not just in the top-four but also in the final now. It's important for all of those concerned, especially JSW. At the beginning, we knew how difficult it would be to get here. We started earlier than the others clubs - in August - because of our AFC Cup commitments. We were always prepared to succeed. But the final is one more step which we have to cross. I am happy for all the fans who have been behinds us no matter what. Tomorrow is a big game, lot of quality and talent in Chennaiyin FC. It's the most difficult game of the season and we're prepared to do well

- Albert Roca, Bengaluru FC coach

I think it's right up there. There were talks when we joined the ISL about how we would fare in our debut year. We played with a different team and lost many players in the ISL draft. We have won four titles in four seasons and are now in the final. It wasn't easy but I am happy with these achievements. I have played many important matches in my career but this is right there because I still don't know what the result will be tomorrow

- Sunil Chhetri, Bengaluru FC skipper, on the significance of the final

Where to watch:

Bengaluru FC vs Chennaiyin FC

ISL final

Live from Sree Kanteerava Stadium

At 8 pm (March 17, Saturday)

On Star Sports 2 and Hotstar