Chennaiyin FC fight it out with Hyderabad FC to return to winning ways after both suffered a loss in their last game of the campaign. It will be their first game of the second half of the 2021/22 ISL season.
CFC vs HFC Match Details :
When: Thursday, January 13th
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Where: Fatorda Stadium
CFC vs HFC Match Preview :
Marina Machans have been left blaming their toothless attack again after going down 1-0 against lowly FC Goa on Saturday. Jorge Ortiz scored a fascinating goal to seal the points for the Gaurs side by side taking away the momentum gathered by Chennaiyin FC in their win over Jamshedpur FC in the prior fixture. The Southern club could only manage three shots and only one on target in the entire game. Their usual solidity in the defense and Goa's wastefulness combined in the scoring not being extended. This is a major concern for Bandanovic as he struggles to have an out-and-out goalscorer for the team. Nerijus Valskis was brought back to fill up the void although he will miss this encounter following his second debut for the club. Lukasz Gikiewicz has failed to impress. A total of only 9 goals scored after 10 matches is the lowest in the league but because their defense only conceded 12, they are placed in sixth with 14 points. A win over here will put them in playoff place contention but for that, they have to breach the joint second-best defense in the league.
Hyderabad FC suffered their second loss of the campaign to Kerala Blasters when Alvaro Vazquez stroke three minutes from halftime as the only goal of the game. It proved to be a dilemma for Manolo Marquez has their approach to the top of the table was halted. It was an even game regarding shots taken with the Tuskers being clinical at the end of the day. However the Nizams are within reach of the top of the table even after this defeat and sit on the fourth spot of the table for the playoffs. But they have to stop dropping points from now on with Chennaiyin and Jamshedpur next, two possible candidates vying for the playoff berth. They have drawn some of the games that they were favourites to win and Marquez will wish the same thing doesn't repeat in the second half of the campaign. Hyderabad FC's defense has been solid but haven't kept a clean sheet in the last six games. They face a less lethal attack though but a rigid defense. Without their star striker Ogbeche, the Nizams may have to work hard to find the back of the net.
Recent Form :
Chennaiyin: LWLLW
Hyderabad: LDWDD
CFC vs HFC Team News :
Chennaiyin FC will be without their star creator, Vlamidir Koman through injury.
The Hungarian has been involved in three goals so far and has turned out to be a gigantic figure in midfield for Marina Machans. Bandovic has another concern in Nerijus Valskis battling for his fitness ahead of the game after the Lithuanian too sustained an injury in the weekend.
A big blow for Hyderabad FC will be the league's top scorer Bartholomew Ogbeche missing out on this crucial clash after accumulating five yellow cards of the season. The Nigerian has been the main man behind HFC's goals this season, scoring half of the club's total, but coach Manolo Marquez has said his team will have no effect whatsoever without him. Javier Siverio will start upfront for this game.
CFC vs HFC Expected Lineups :
Chennai in FC: Debjit Majumdar; Sajid Dhot, Slavko Damjanovic, Narayan Das, Reagan Singh, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Anirudh Thapa, Germanpreet Singh, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Mirlan Murzaev, Lukasz Gikiewicz
Hyderabad FC: Laxmikant Kattimani; Asish Rai, Chinglensana Singh, Juanan, Akash Mishra, Joao Victor, Hitesh Sharma, Nikhil Poojary, Edu Garcia, Aniket Jadav, Javier Siverio
CFC vs HFC Head to Head :
Chennaiyin FC came out 1-0 winners in a tight encounter against Hyderabad FC in the league's other game. Vladimir Koman converted his spot-kick in the 66th minute for the win as Ogbeche missed several chances for the Nizams. Both are set to miss the reverse game though for their respective club.
CFC vs HFC Dream11 Team Prediction :
GK: Kattimani (HFC)
DEF: Reagan (CFC), Sana (HFC), Damjanovic (CFC), Akash (HFC)
MID: Aniket (HFC), Victor (HFC), Thapa (CFC), Chhangte (CFC)
FW: Mirlan (CFC), Siverio (HFC)
