With a seven-match unbeaten streak behind them, Pune FC will enter the match as favourites, but the biting cold, artificial pitch and a near-capacity home crowd at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium are some of the obstacles the visitors will have to overcome.
Pune FC coach Derrick Pereira said, "Going by the conditions we need to acclimatise to the cold weather and the turf as well and get going.
"Yesterday we had our first session on the pitch. So far, we've been playing on natural grass in the last five matches and this game is important in view of the next four being on similar surfaces."
Both teams, so far, have met six times ever since gaining promotion. Four ended in draws and two ended in defeats for Pune.
