Two clubs with stuttering form this season, Chennaiyin FC and Odisha FC meet at Chennai to reignite the race for the playoffs in ISL.
The Marina Machans suffered a 3-1 loss to Bengaluru FC on the same day Odisha conceded a 2-0 loss to ATK Mohun Bagan.
CFC vs OFC Match Details
Date: Thursday, 2 February 2023
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai
CFC vs OFC Match Preview
Chennaiyin FC made their position a lot harder in the playoff race by losing to Bengaluru FC in the Southern derby. With no wins in the last six matches following the 3-1 defeat at Kanteerava, Thomas Brdaric’s side have widened a five points gap between them and the top six. They are looking to overturn their fluctuating form in the remaining five games to stay in contention or else the deficit will turn bigger. Failing to strike the right balance between attack and defense caused a lot of worries for Chennaiyin. They will have Abdenasser El Khayati back from a long-standing hamstring injury to bring creativity to the team in the next match against Odisha FC but there seems to be no solution for leaking goals at the other end. At least, the Mariana Machans suffered less number of defeats than their counterparts in contention for the playoffs. However, drawing more games than any other side in the division with five has stagnated their progress. Chennaiyin FC only managed to win only once at home, that too coming against lowly Jamshedpur FC. They also conceded 11 goals in the last six games, not at all an encouraging record to have ahead of a crucial game.
Odisha FC are also struggling massively to find consistency after losing five of their last seven games. The 2-0 defeat in the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday was another poor show from the away team managing only one shot on target out of five. The deficit could have been bigger if ATK Mohun Bagan were more clinical with their chances. The Juggernauts lost heavily to FC Goa 3-0 and Mumbai City 4-2 also moving them out of the playoff places. They managed only one win in that period, conceded ten goals and managed to score only six. Even after such a poor run of form, Josep Gombau’s team are separated from the top six by goal difference only. Bengaluru FC are above them in the sixth spot with the same number of points. Therefore, Odisha FC are better placed than their opposition Chennaiyin FC in that regard. Their shocking away form could be a major stumbling block after losing four straight games on travel. No wins in the last three visits to Chennai too. Odisha FC won the reverse fixture 3-2 back in November last year and could use it as a motivating factor.
Recent Form
CFC: LDDDL
OFC: LLWLL
CFC vs OFC Team News
Abdenasser El Khayati came on as a substitute for the final ten minutes against Bengaluru FC last week giving the delighted Chennaiyin fans the news of his return from a lengthy injury layoff. Thomas Brdaric will be tempted to add him from the start in the next game as the Dutchman remains the top goal-contributor for the side with 11 this season. However, CFC are without right-back Ajith Kumar for the clash because of a suspension.
For the visitors, Raynier Fernandes went off injured in the 20th minute of the last game and is a doubt for Thursday. Odisha FC also have a concern about Jerry Mawhingthanga as he is not at his full fitness despite playing matches. There are no other issues in the squad.
CFC vs OFC Predicted Lineups
CFC: Samik Mitra; Edwin Vanspaul, Fallou Diagne, Vafa Hakhamaneshi, Aakash Sangwan; Jiteshwor Singh, Julius Duker; Ninthoi Meetei, El Khayati, Vincy Barretto; Petar Sliskovic
OFC: Amrinder Singh; Narender Gahlot, Osama Malik, Carlos Delgado, Sahil Panwar; Issac Vanmalsawma, Saul Crespo, Thoiba Singh; Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Diego Mauricio, Nandha Kumar Sekar
CFC vs OFC Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Amrinder (8)
DEF: Diagne (8), Delgado (8.5), Sangwan (8.5)
MID: El Khayati (9), Duker (8.5), Crespo (8.5), Sekar (9)
FW: Jerry (9), Mauricio (9), Sliskovic (9)
Vice-captain: Petar Sliskovic
Captain: Abdenasser El Khayati
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
