The biggest game in the league phase of the Indian Super League this season is here. FC Pune City host the regular league leaders of last year, Chennaiyin FC, in the 55th clash of the ISL, and the result of the match determines the fourth team making progress to the ISL playoffs this time.
Defending champions Atletico de Kolkata, FC Goa, and Delhi Dynamos have already made their way to the semifinals this year, and the fourth team is either going to be Chennaiyin FC or NorthEast United FC.
If the hosts tonight indeed manage to record a win over the South Indian side at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune, NorthEast make it to the ISL playoffs for the first time in the ISL in two years. However, if Chennai even manage to record a draw, they reach the ISL playoffs for the second time in two years.
While Marco Materazzi's Chennaiyin FC remain on 19 points, Cesar Farias' NorthEast United FC stay on 20 points. Chennai have a far greater goal difference, and that is the stat that is in favour of them in case there is a draw in the game tonight. "I think what we have gotten right is to play as a team and not as individuals," Materazzi said.
"We are now a step away (from semis). We gained one more chance. It's not done yet, but if we do it, then at that point I can say we made the difference we needed. What counts to me is to have one point more than the other teams," the world cup winner with Italy, added.
FC Pune City, who haven't won any of their previous seven games, will be looking to bidding goodbye to the ISL this year on a high note, and David Platt is ensuring that. "I will pick a team to win a football match on Saturday against Chennai. That's the way it is," the Englishman said.
"Full credit to NorthEast, they have got themselves into fourth place and we have got to do something on Saturday that keeps them there. But, we would not be doing that for NorthEast, we will be doing it for ourselves," he added.
Chennaiyin FC defeated FC Pune City 2-1 in the first leg this season.
Where to watch the game
The second leg tie between between FC Pune City and Chennaiyin FC is scheduled to kick-off on Saturday at 7 pm IST (2:30 pm BST, 9:30 am ET).
The viewers in India can catch the game on Star Sports 2, Star Sports HD2, Star Sports 3,Star Sports HD3, Star Utsav, Star Gold (both Hindi), Asianet Movies (Malayalam),Jaya Max (Tamil), Suvarna TV (Kannada) and Jalsha Movies (Bengali). The live streaming is available on Starsports.com and Hotstar.
The viewers in the UK, South East Asia, Singapore, and Hong Kong can catch the game onStar Gold.
The viewers in Canada can watch the game on CBN and ATN.
The viewers in the US and Australia can tune in to Fox Sports. The live streaming is available on Foxsoccer2Go and Foxtel.
Eurosport remains the destination for the viewers in Europe. The live streaming is available on Eurosport Player.
Audience in the Middle East and North Africa can also catch the ISL game on OSN, with live streaming option on OSN Play.
