Thursday , March 28 2024

ISL-4: In-form Chennaiyin FC host stuttering Delhi Dynamos!

2015 Indian Super League (ISL) champions Chennaiyin FC host Delhi Dynamos FC in ISL 2017-18 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Sunday. The southerners are constantly hovering around the top half of the league standings and are unbeaten in their last three fixtures with two wins and a draw. They also became the first team in league history to bag 16 points from their first eight games in a season with their win last time around. The Lions, meanwhile, have the unwanted record of being the first team to be on the receiving end of six consecutive losses. With the halfway mark of the league fast approaching, they need a quick turnaround of events, albeit even a top four finish seems improbable now.

HEAD TO HEAD

Chennaiyin FC 1–4 Delhi Dynamos FC (1 draws)

KEY PLAYERS

Jeje Lalpekhlua (Chennaiyin FC)

The Mizo Sniper had a slow start this season, but once he rediscovered his scoring touch, Jeje has been unstoppable. He has been bullying the opposition defence with his strength and has bagged four goals in Hero ISL 2017-18. Accurate with his passes and ever-opportunistic, he would want to get on the score sheet when Delhi come calling.

Romeo Fernandes (Delhi Dynamos FC)

The winger has been one of the few attacking outlets in an otherwise underwhelming Delhi side. He creates a good few openings in each match and is always troubling the opposition with his speed. Fernandes has a knack of delivering quality crosses into the box and also has an assist to his name this season. Never shy to take on shots himself, he will have a crucial role to play when the Lions travel to Chennai.

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS

Chennaiyin FC

John Gregory may implement the 4-2-3-1 formation, which offers his side plenty of freedom in midfield to aid their attack.

Chennaiyin FC assistant coach Sabir Pasha on his objectives for the remaining games: “We can’t be complacent. We have to focus on each and every match. Ten matches more to go and it’s not going to be easy… we are really prepared, and I think other teams are also prepared. We have to keep doing what we have been doing and keep improving to match the other teams.”

Goalkeeper: Karanjit Singh

Defenders: Inigo Calderon, Keenan Almeida, Henrique Sereno, Jerry Lalrinzuala

Midfielders: Dhanpal Ganesh, Bikramjit Singh, Gregory Nelson, Raphael Augusto, Jaime Gavilan

Forward: Jeje Lalpekhlua

Delhi Dynamos FC

Miguel Portugal may opt for his usual 4-3-3 formation in hope of being more clinical in the final third.

Goalkeeper: Arnab Das Sharma

Defenders: Pritam Kotal, Pratik Chowdhary, Gabriel Cichero, Sena Ralte

Midfielders: Jeroen Lumu, Paulinho Dias, Vinit Rai

Forwards: Romeo Fernandes, Kalu Uche, Guyon Fernandez

Delhi head coach Miguel Portugal summing up his sides problems this season: “We started well. We played good, but we had two problems: in defence and attack. We had opportunities to score but we didn’t score. That is the problem for the team, the two ideas. In the middle we play well but not as good.”

KEY STAT

– Chennaiyin FC’s only victory against Delhi in the league has come at home

LAST ENCOUNTER

– Delhi Dynamos FC 4–1 Chennaiyin FC (9th November 2016 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi)

FORM GUIDE (Last five matches)

Chennaiyin FC: W D W L W

Delhi Dynamos FC: L L L L L

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