Manuel Marquez Roca’s in-form Hyderabad FC is set to take on Csaba Laszlo’s inconsistent Chennaiyin FC in the first double-header of the Super Sunday on January 31, 2021, at the Tilak Maidan Stadium, Goa.
The Nizams are unbeaten in their last six matches with two wins and a string of four draws. They sneaked out two late goals against Bengaluru FC to take a point in their previous outing and will be arriving at this match with a determination to grab three points. Meanwhile, the Marina Machans will seek redemption against Hyderabad for their humiliating 1-4 loss in the reverse fixture.
Both Hyderabad FC and Chennaiyin FC stand in 4th and 5th position respectively with seven draws (most by any team in this season) and will be looking to win this game to move forward in the points table. Chennaiyin stalwart defender Enes Sipović has already collected four yellow cards in this season and is suspended for this game.
Chennai is strengthened by the arrival of Manuel Lanzarote who came out of the quarantine yesterday. He is expected to be a part of the Match Day squad.
3 Indian Players to Watch Out in This Game
Akash Mishra (HFC), Jerry Lalrinzuala (CFC) and Liston Colaco (HFC) are the three Indian players to look out in this match.
The 19-year-old Mishra has already impressed everyone with his mind-blowing performance in the on-going season and is currently knocking the doors for a place in the Indian National Team. The Hyderabad full-back has delivered excellent crosses from the left flank and has 39 interceptions & 53 tackles to his name in 14 matches.
Liston is currently in red hot form and has already provided three assists; scored twice in this season. His dribbles are always a menace for a defending side and he is an important piece in the puzzle.
Another left-back to watch out is Jerry Lalrinzuala from Chennaiyin FC. He has always stepped up to take the mantle at crucial situations. The 2016 Emerging Player of the Year can stop the Hyderabad attack from right wing and can be very challenging especially against the likes of Liston Colaco and Asish Rai.
3 Foreign Players to Watch Out in This Game
Esmaël Gonçalves (CFC), Aridane Santana (HFC) and Memo Moura (CFC) are the three overseas players to look out in this match.
After returning from the injury, Isma has partially revived Chennaiyin from goal scoring issues and has netted four goals so far in this season. He can deliver a few more in this game and right now he is the only person who Chennai can rely upon for three points. Meanwhile his teammate, Memo has been the crux of the Chennaiyin midfield since the departure of Crivellaro. He has also filled the shoes of Sipović whenever he was absent. Memo could prove vital in this match and his versatility can bring a shift in paradigm for Chennai.
Aridane is currently in contention for the Golden Boot in third place with seven goals in 13 matches and could close the deficit soon. He can form a lethal partnership with Narzary, Liston and Sandaza and could threaten the Chennaiyin defence, again.
Injuries
Lluis Sastre and Nikhil Poojary are the two injury concerns in the Hyderabad squad. Moving into the blue camp, Anirudh Thapa still looks doubtful and is yet to recover from the injury he sustained against SC East Bengal. He has been training with the team in the last couple of days and might come off the bench in the later stages of the game.
The Expected Line Up of Hyderabad FC
Laxmikant Kattimani (GK), Akash Mishra (LB), Chinglensana Singh (CB), Odei Onaindia (CB), Asish Rai (RB), Hitesh Sharma (LM), Joel Chianese (CM), Joao Victor (RM), Halicharan Narzary (LW), Aridane Santana (ST), Liston Colaco (RW)
Formation: 4-3-3
Substitutes:
Sankar Roy (GK), Mohammed Yasir, Francisco Sandaza, Nikhil Prabhu, Rohit Danu, Sahil Tavora, Roland Alberg, Sahil Panwar, Kynsailang Khongsit
The Expected Line Up of Chennaiyin FC
Vishal Kaith (GK), Jerry Lalrinzuala (LB), Eli Sabia (CB), Memo Moura (CB), Reagan Singh (RB), Deepak Tangri (DM), Germanpreet Singh (DM), Lallianzuala Chhangte (LW), Jakub Sylvestr (AM), Thoi Singh (RW), Esmael Goncalves (ST)
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Substitutes:
Karanjit Singh (GK), Abhijit Sarkar, Anirudh Thapa, Lalchhuanmawia, Dhanpal Ganesh, Fatkhullo Fatkhulloev, Manuel Lanzarote, Edwin Sydney Vanspaul, Rahim Ali.
Head to Head:
Played – 3 Matches
HFC – 1 Victory
CFC – 2 Victories
Draws – Nil
Recent Fixture – CFC (Lost) 1 – 4 HFC (January 04, 2021)
Predictions:
Considering the unbeaten streak, Hyderabad FC are the favourites to win this match but the two-time ISL champions Chennaiyin FC will give a tough fight to pay their dues for the devastating loss in the reverse fixture. So, we predict this match to end in a stalemate.
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