Both Chennaiyin FC and Hyderabad FC will be eager for a win when the two sides square off at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Monday. Chennaiyin head into the game after draws in their last two outings, while Hyderabad go into the contest on the back of three consecutive losses. Manuel Marquez’s men began the 2020-21 Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) season well and were unbeaten in their first five matches. However, three successive losses have derailed their momentum and you can rest assured that they’ll do all in their power to avoid another defeat. Here we look at some of the key factors that could come into play when they face Chennaiyin.

Chennaiyin aren’t capitalising on their chances

Despite getting into good areas, Chennaiyin aren’t making the most of their opportunities. They played out a goalless draw against ATK Mohun Bagan in their last game and it was the fourth match where the Marina Machans had failed to score -- the most by any team this season. When you realize that they have created 93 chances so far, it becomes obvious that it’s their failure to convert the chances that’s been letting them down. They have attempted 117 shots at an average of 14.6 shots per match, the most by a team. However, Chennaiyin FC have scored just seven goals and their goal conversion rate of 5.98 is the second least by a team this season.

Second half is when the action picks up in Hyderabad games

Hyderabad have scored seven goals so far and six of them have come in the second half. Similarly, they have leaked goals at the other end of the pitch in the second period. Out of the 10 goals that they have conceded so far, seven have come in the second half which could indicate a drop in concentration and a lack of fitness for Marquez’s men. Offensively, they have taken 72 shots in the second half, out of which only 19 have been on target. At the other end of the pitch, second halves have seen them face 37 shots with 70% of their goals conceded coming in this period.

Marina Machans must improve their defending from set-pieces

When Chennaiyin take on Hyderabad, they will be hoping to defend set-pieces better than they have so far this season. Out of the seven goals that the Marina Machans have conceded, five of them have come from set-piece situations. Chennaiyin, in fact, have conceded 17 shots and 71.42% of their goals from set-pieces. Four out of the last five goals that Chennaiyin have conceded have been from set-pieces, and that has cost them dear.