Chennaiyin FC
V
Delhi Dynamos
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai
24 November, 2015
***
Chennaiyin FC play hosts to third placed Delhi Dynamo in match 45 of the Indian Super League and will look to brighten their chance for qualifying for the semi finals after having put a stop to their losing by hammering four goals past Kerala Blasters. Delhi, who have two matches in hand compared to league leaders Atletico de Kolkata, will look to extend their five match unbeaten run, and will look to dampen Chennaiyina s hope for a spot in the semi finals.
Team News and Tactical Brief
Chennaiyin FC
Manager Marco Materazzi will hope that their star pairing of Elano and Stiven Mendoza along with Bruno Pelissari will be enough to counter the threat of Roberto Carlosa side. Materazzi will look to shake things up with Karanjit Singh returning to the line-up in place of Apoula Edel. The defence will see Alessandro Potenza being dropped from the defence with Mailson replacing the Italian. The trio of Dhanachandra Singh, Mehrajuddin Wadoo and Bernard Mendy will form the back four.
The midfield will also see the return of their marquee player Elano, who was rested against Kerala Blaster, with a renewed determination after having failed to provide the same creativity of last season. Raphael Augusto has been the star performer in the midfield and is likely to partner Elano alongside Thoi Singh. The forward makes an interesting choice with Mendoza and Pelissari almost confirmed to start, it will be straight out fight between Jeje Lalpeklua and Jayesh Rane, with the former likely to edge out in this mini battle due to his experience.
Probable Starting XI(4-2-2-2): Karanjit; Wadoo, Mendy, Mailson, Dhanachandra; Thoi Singh, Raphael Augusto; Elano, Pelissari; Jeje, Mendoza.
Probable Starting XI
Delhi Dynamos
The Lions may lie in the third position, but are in quite an advantageous situation with only two points separating them and the leaders, while having two matches in hand. The situation means they already have one foot in the semi finals, but they will need to be careful and will hope to not go of the advantage. Chennaiyin, though, will be a tricky test for Roberto Carlos and will be forced to stifle the creativity of Elano and Pelissari. Delhi Dynamos did manage to defeat Chennaiyin in Delhi, in a closely fought game and will hope to repeat the same in Chennai.
Toni Doblas has been ever present in the Dynamos goal and will continue to be the man beneath the sticks for the Lions. The defence that has served Carlos so well, isna t likely to be tinkered with either. The four man defence will be Souvik, Anas, Riise and Adlinga. The midfield is probably the place where Carlos will tinker with. Vinicius will be droped and Hans Mulder will regain his place in the starting lineup alongside Chicao and Florent Malouda. Robin Singh, Adil Nabi and Len are likely to be the front three.
Probable Starting XI(4-3-3): Doblas; Souvik, Anas, Riise, Adlinga; Chicao, Mulder, Malouda; Len, Nabi, Robin.
Prediction
Chennaiyin 2-0 Delhi Dynamos .
Match 45 of the Hero Indian Super League is likely to be an exciting match with goals, as both teams will go for a win to further ambitions. The match will be a treat to watch tactically, with Chennaiyin edging over the Lions. TheHardTackle predicts a 2-0 victory for the home side.
Image Courtesy: ISL Media
