Chennaiyin FC hosts Bengaluru FC in the first Southern derby of the 2022/23 ISL season with both sides securing a win in their opening games.
The Marina Machans had to come from behind to win 2-1 against ATK Mohun Bagan in Kolkata two days after Bengaluru FC managed a slender 1-0 win over NorthEast United FC at home.
CFC vs BFC Match Details
Date: Friday, 14 October 2022
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai
CFC vs BFC Match Preview
Chennaiyin FC were overwhelmed by ATK Mohun Bagan’s repeated attacks in their visit to Saltlake Stadium but number one Debjit Majumder stood strong to almost all the shots he faced. Still, the home side managed to get the lead scoring through Manvir Singh near the half-hour mark. CFC created no notable attacks in the first half leading to change of mindset in the second. Substitute Karikari calming converted the equalizer from spot kick he won five minutes after stepping on to the pitch and then cut back for Rahim Ali to score the eventual winner. This was the 50th win for Chennaiyin FC in the ISL and Ali’s strike was the 200th goal milestone the club achieved on the night. It becomes tougher from here for Thomas Bradaric’s side as they are pinned against Bengaluru FC in the first Southern derby of the new season in the next game. Facing the Blues has not been a happy occasion in recent memories with Chennaiyin yet to win in the last six derbies while suffering defeat in both the fixtures last season. The home support after two years in bio bubble might help them to replicate the last win in this derby happened while being the hosts in 2019. The team reached the ISL final that season but could not transit the same form in the two seasons at Goa during the pandemic. If the Marina Machans are expecting success on Friday, they cannot afford to repeat their performance of the first-half in the last game. Coach Thomas Bradaric has set his side defensively this season but being too negative could cause trouble going deep into the season. At the same time, Chennaiyin have to keep their attack at its sharpest with only two goals scored in this fixture in four years and only 17 goals scored in total last season, the fewest in the league.
The first game of the season is always a challenge but Bengaluru FC managed to overcome it against NorthEast with a header from Alan Costa coming late into the match for a narrow 1-0 win. The goal was scored from a corner making a reminder of the Blues clinical nature from set-pieces. Last time, BFC scored 19 goals from set plays remarkably with Costa himself scoring two of them. That part of the game can prove to be crucial in breaking rivals Chennaiyin’s defense in the Southern derby although coach Simon Grayson said they won’t be too reliant on them. It was an end to end game in the curtain raiser with the Highlanders feeling betrayed at the last for their equalizer in added time controversially ruled out by the officials. Bengaluru FC were also saved from losing the game altogether with NorthEast also hitting the crossbar late with missing chances at the other end of the pitch. Anyway, Grayson’s tenure in the ISL got off to a positive start with a clean sheet and he wants to prove a point again after winning the Durand Cup last month. Both the teams in the Sourthern derby will look into the cause that from this season as much as six teams could participate in the ISL playoffs. The two usual contenders for the spot have not been at their best in the last two campaigns. Hence, this game becomes crucial to show each other the willingness to be in the playoffs conversation. Neither side will be happy to drop their momentum so early in their season and will go for a victory than settle for a draw. In all, this derby has all the ingredients to spill into a classic with both defenses coming under extreme pressure to keep each other at bay.
CFC vs BFC Team News
Despite getting the win in the first match of the season, Chennaiyin are expected to make some changes to the starting eleven giving opportunities to the players who helped to turn the game around against ATK Mohun Bagan. None crucial as their new Ghanaian striker Kwame Karikari who converted the penalty and the setup Rahim Ali for the winner. He is expected to start alongside the 22-year-old in the front two of the 4-4-2 formation replacing Peter Siliskovic. Goalkeeper Debjit Majumder made an applauding six saves in the match and will be donning the gloves again in his side’s first home game after two seasons.
In contrast, Bengaluru FC is unlikely to make any swap from the victory over NorthEast. Even though Javi Hernandez came off the bench to create the corner for Alan Costa’s winning header, the Spaniard is expected to reprise the substitute role again. The front three of Roy Krishna, captain Sunil Chettri and Shivasakhti remain secure with the manager relying on the youngster from the start of his tenure in the Durand Cup last month.
CFC vs BFC Predicted Lineups
CFC: Debjit Majumder; Ajith Kumar, Fallou Diagne, Vafa Hakhamaneshi, Narayan Das; Edwin Vanspaul, Julius Duker, Anirudh Thapa, Jiteshwor Singh; Rahim Ali, Kwame Karikari
BFC: Gurpreet Sandhu; Alekssandar Jovanovic, Sandesh Jhingan, Alan Costa; Prabir Das, Suresh Wangjam, Bruno Edgar, Roshan Singh; Roy Krishna, Sunil Chhetri, Sivasakhti
CFC vs BFC Dream11 Prediction
GK: Gurpreet (8.5)
DEF: Prabir (8), Diagne (8.5), Costa (9), Roshan (8.5)
MID: Vanspaul (8.5), Edgar (8.5), Thapa (9)
FW: R Ali (8), Krishna (9), Chhetri (9)
Captain: Sunil Chhetri
Vice-captain: Roy Krishna
Debjit Majumder made 6 saves in the comeback win in the season opener but recent record of Bengaluru FC makes Gurpreet Sandhu a favorable option as well.
Roy Krishna has scored 2 goals and delivered 2 assists against Chennaiyin FC in his ISL career. He has scored 3 goals in his last 5 games in the league including a strike against them in March this year.
Sunil Chhetri has scored joint most ISL goals against the Marina Machans than any other side including 4 goal involvement in the last 7 derbies.
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
