On Wednesday, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi will host the first match of Matchweek 3 of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024–25 season between Punjab FC and Hyderabad FC.

In this exciting encounter, Hyderabad FC, who fell 3-0 to Bengaluru FC in Matchweek 2 due to late goals, will try to bounce back while Punjab FC, who have won both of their opening games, sit third in the points standings. For the first time in their management careers, the two managers will go up against one another.

Punjab FC has now established the longest winning run in the ISL after winning their past three games. Their inability to maintain a clean sheet in any of their preceding six games, however, will cause them anxiety and point out areas where their performance has to be improved.

Hyderabad FC has never lost three straight ISL games without scoring. The club will be trying to improve even though they haven’t scored in their past two games and exploit Punjab FC’s weak defense, which has allowed 10 goals in their last six games, according to an ISL press release.

Due to star striker Luka Majcen’s injury, Mushaga Bakenga, Punjab FC’s newest acquisition, is now expected to spearhead the attack. The attacker from Norway has been goalless in the previous two games and will be motivated to finally score at home against Thangboi Singto’s team. Panagiotis Dilmperis, the head coach, believes that Bakenga and the other new players will quickly establish a rhythm.

“Bakenga has competed at the highest level and is an excellent player. It takes him some time to acclimate. Our purpose is to assist him. Not only Bakenga, but any player that needs some time to get used to the new circumstances. According to an ISL news release, Dilmperis said, “I have faith in him and hope that he will score goals in the future.

The head coach of Hyderabad FC, Thangboi Singto, is aware that his squad has to work harder in the gym, but he is optimistic that his team can create more scoring chances and take advantage of them in the next game.

We did not have much time, therefore we haven’t really been able to focus on tactical issues. However, altogether, there are no complaints about the effort or the will to succeed, according to Singto.

Punjab FC is one of four clubs in the Indian Super League that the Shers have yet to lose against. They have won one match and drawn the other. Punjab FC is undefeated against Hyderabad FC.

-Milestones & Key Players

Nihal Sudheesh of Punjab FC has accomplished a total of 12 long progressive carries (10+ meters) in these two games, which is three more than the nine carries he accomplished in his prior 13 ISL outings.

Mohammed Rafi of Hyderabad FC has averaged 6.8 clearances per game in the ISL this year, which is the greatest total of any player (minimum of 4 games played).

Tekcham Abhishek Singh of Punjab FC has won 88 percent of his attempted tackles since the beginning of 2023–24. Sandeep Singh has the second-best record among Indian players who have tried more than 20 tackles during that time, with 91.3%.

Abdul Rabeeh is the Hyderabad FC player with the most touches inside the opposition’s box this year with 46.