Kolkata

A win is of paramount importance for both teams given the way the ISL table is shaping up. ATK has four points from four games while Chennaiyin has only a point to show for its efforts. After two losses in a row at home, ATK put in solid shifts away to defeat Delhi Dynamos and then hold Jamshedpur FC. But given that three teams above Steve Coppell’s side have played a game less, nothing less than three points would do for it.“A lot of teams are on the same level. But some have elevated themselves. We want to be at the elite level. For that, we need to win at home. Good teams win at home. We have to collect points in front of our home fans,” said Coppell.Chennaiyin is also badly in need of three points. It is yet to notch a win this season, but has snapped a three-game losing streak after a goalless draw with Delhi Dynamos. Coach John Gregory will be a hopeful man after that result given that his team finally kept a clean sheet, although against a toothless Delhi attack. But anything other than a win will see CFC fall well behind in the race for the play-off spots.“We’ve played four matches and there are some new faces in the team. They are taking some time to settle down. Day-by-day, the performance level is improving. We’re working on our mistakes but I think we’re getting better,” said Chennaiyin FC assistant coach Sabir Pasha who filled in for unwell head coach John Gregory. CFC has been leaky in defence so far, but the pair of Inigo Calderon and Eli Sabia looked confident against Dynamos. However, its finishing left a lot to be desired in Delhi. Considering the kind of chances Carlos Salom spurned, Gregory could bring back last year’s top scorer Jeje Lalpekhlua into the starting XI. “ATK is always strong. No doubt it has lost two matches at home. But it will come stronger. It can’t be taken lightly. It plays really hard and puts the opponent under pressure,” added Pasha.