Chennaiyin FC hopes to continue their unbeaten start to the new ISL season welcoming FC Goa in their backyard.
Thomas Bradaric’s side came from behind once again to draw 1-1 against Bengaluru FC while FC Goa won their season opener 2-1 against East Bengal in the last minute of the match.
CFC vs FCG Match Details
Date: Friday, 21 October 2022
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai
CFC vs FCG Match Preview
Chennaiyin FC knew the battle with Bengaluru FC will be difficult and although they still are winless in seven meetings in four years, the share of spoils from a losing position is a satisfying factor. The Marina Machans were guilty of starting the game slowly again with Roy Krishna giving the Blues the lead four minutes into the game. CFC fell behind through a Manvir Singh goal in their season opener against ATK Mohun Bagan and Thomas Bradaric’s side had to come from behind again this time only managing a draw after Prasanth leveled up just before the half-time whistle. Playing in front of their support after two years, the home side seemed to be seeing off the game comfortably in the next period but had a panicky end instead with normally trusted custodian Debjit Majumder having a rush of blood in taking out Roy Krishna at the edge of the box receiving a straight red in the process. Majumder was a star performer in the opening game of the season and his suspension will allow second choice keeper Devansh Dabas to make his ISL debut. Four points from two games will not sound bad for coach Thomas Bradaric although his concern is the team conceding first in games. The optimism will be Chennaiyin’s ability to take more shots on target despite a slow start to their matches and not losing their foot even when they are trailing. Bradaric states that the team are in the process of team building and it is a long road from the beginning till the end. CFC plays their consecutive home game this season with FC Goa visiting them next. Having lost both the games against the Gaur last season and the last meeting here in Chennai, the Marina Machans are seeking revenge and a victory in this game will put them on top of the chart momentarily at least. Bradaric’s men also hold the advantage of playing one more game than FC Goa this season.
Carlos Pena’s managerial tenure at FC Goa in ISL got off to the best possible start with a 2-1 away win over East Bengal which also broke their six-game winless streak in the Saltlake Stadium. Brandon Fernandes took only seven minutes to unlock East Bengal’s defense and give FC Goa the lead by combining with Alvaro Vazquez. Chances fell to them to double the lead with the missed opportunities leading East Bengal to win a penalty in the second half converted by Cleiton Silva. It was time for FC Goa’s midfield lynchpin Edu Bedia to step up and he did exactly that by scoring with a long free-kick deep into the stoppage time to earn all three points for his side in their curtain- raising game. Pena has now got the chance to lead FC Goa to back-to-back wins and make them the only team to carry a hundred per cent record from the opening two games in the ISL this season. For that, they have to take another away trip this time to the south of the country to face Chennaiyin FC. The Gaurs played with a lot of zeal in the first match favoring an attacking brand of football with more possession of the ball. East Bengal has been a defensive side this term but Carlos Pena’s side deserves the credit to put constant pressure on the opposition. Their 16 shots in total with five on target prove they like to stay on the front foot every time. However, FC Goa had to finish more chances created to make less life difficult for them like in the season opener when they let the opposition crawl back into the game. At the same time, it is delightful to have match winners like Edu Bedia in the team who can spring up to the side’s rescue whenever summoned to do so. Facing the Marina Machans at their ground will be quite a test but FC Goa will take great hearts from their record in the last three meetings in Chennai where the Gaurs won every single of those matches.
Recent Form
CFC: WD
FCG: W
CFC vs FCG Team News
Chennaiyin’s number one Debjit Majumder was red-carded in the southern derby against Bengaluru FC with Devansh Dabas replacing him between the sticks. Head coach Thomas Bradaric is boosted by the return of Alexander Romario Jesuraj and Vincy Baretto back to training after their respective injuries. They could be available for the clash.
Meanwhile, FC Goa have no injury concerns to bother about with the same team remaining intact that secured a 2-1 victory over East Bengal at the Saltlake Stadium. Alvaro Vazquez mixed well with his new side in the win since switching from Kerala Blasters this summer and is set to make his 25th appearance in the league.
CFC vs FCG Predicted Lineups
CFC: Devansh Dabas (GK), Ajith Kumar, Vafa Hakhamaneshi, Fallou Diagne, Narayan Das; Prasanth K, Julius Duker, Anirudh Thapa, Jiteshwor Singh; Rahim Ali, Petar Sliskovic.
FCG: Dheeraj Singh (GK), Seriton Fernandes, Anwar Ali, Marc Valiente, Aiban Dohling; Glan Martins, Edu Bedia, Redeem Tlang, Iker Guarrotxena, Brandon Fernandes; Alvaro Vazquez.
CFC vs FCG Head to Head
FC Goa didn’t have a good outing last season, the worst in their ISL history, losing both the games against Chennaiyin FC with the last meeting ending 5-0 to the Marina Machans even though the team was at their home for the competition being played in a bio-bubble back then. The Gaurs, though, have an impressive record on the travels in this meeting winning the last three matches. The last match was in 2019 when FC Goa won 4-3 with Ferran Corominas netting the winner to thwart Chennaiyin’s second-half comeback from 3-0 down in the first period.
CFC vs FCG Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Dheeraj (8)
DEF: Seriton (8), Anwar Ali (8.5), Diagne (8.5), Dohling (6.5)
MID: E Bedia (9), Thapa (9), Brandon (8.5)
FW: Sliskovic (8), Vazquez (8.5), Rahim (8.5)
Vice-captain: Alvaro Vazquez
Captain: Edu Bedia
