After three wins on the trot, FC Goa will like to seal their top four spot with another against league leaders Chennaiyin FC when they meet in the latter’s backyard on Friday. The hosts have not missed the services of Elano and John Stiven Mendoza too much as they have managed to retain their top billing despite their absence. The addition of former AC Milan legend Alessandro Nesta will bolster their defence.Chennai and Goa are the two most attacking teams in the Hero Indian Super League. The home side have netted 21 times in 12 games while Goa have 17 goals to their credit. Zico’s team however have more shots (180-166), shots on target (108-88), crosses (200-160) and passes (3661-3377) than Marco Materazzi’s side. They will take hope from these statistics to avenge their loss in the first leg.A win for Chennai will see them reach an unassailable 25 points to finish on top. Goa can close the gap to just one point with a win and will harbour hopes of usurping them when they take on Atlético de Kolkata in their final match. A draw will mean that Goa get to 19 points while Chennai will be on 23. With favourable results in their games, Kolkata could then leapfrog both these teams.Form Guide (most recent games first)Chennaiyin FC: WLWWDFC Goa: WWWDWBruno Pelissari vs Bikramjit SinghThe Brazilian has filled in superbly for injured marquee player Elano Blumer. He’s even managed to get on to the score sheet three times. His speed with and without the ball will have to be curbed if the Goan defence are to breathe easy. Up against him will be Bikramjit Singh who has been phenomenal for the away side. Playing in front of the defence, the tenacious Indian has the tendency to put in crunching tackles and break up play. He will have to mark the Brazilian closely all throughout the encounter.Eric Djemba-Djemba vs André SantosThe former Manchester United man has done well after coming into the side. The strongly built defensive midfielder who also doubles up as defender reads the game superbly and puts in good tackles to stop the opposition from building an attack. Up against him, however, will be the Player of the Week, André Santos. The Brazilian has been in excellent form for the away side and he has overseen his side’s romp to three impressive victories with important contributions in terms of goals and assists. He will look to keep that form running in this key match.Jeje Lalpekhlua vs Bruno PinheiroThe Indian striker has been excellent for Chennai in the absence of John Stiven Mendoza. The diminutive Mizo’s pace and trickery is an important aspect of his game and he uses it effectively to get past defenders. It was his goal that took Chennai to the top of the league table and he will want to keep his good form going against a resurgent and rampant Goa. Bruno Pinheiro has filled in brilliantly for Youness Bengelloun in the heart of defence after the Frenchman picked up an injury. The Portuguese has complemented Grégory Arnolin ably. His ability to move forward with the ball is also a boon for the Goans.Players to watchChennaiyin FCDhanachandra Singh – The Indian defender has been in good form for Materazzi’s team. Partnering with Silvestre, Mendy and Djemb-Djemba, Singh has flourished in the backline. He will hope to use this same form when facing a potent threat from Goa.FC GoaRomeo Fernandes – The diminutive winger is in the form of his life. His inspiring game play has seen Goa notch up three good wins at home with Fernandes being the key ingredient to Zico’s attacking recipe. His pace and trickery down the right wing is refreshing to watch and he can cause damage if not contained. Having scored the 100th goal of the ISL, Fernandes will want to continue in the same vein and get on to the score sheet again.Team speakChennaiyin FCVivek Nagul (assistant coach): “Statistically, we may have qualified, but we will have to prepare for this match and must take it game by game.”FC GoaZico (head coach): “It is true that we are continuously working and we believe in our work and that is one of the reasons for the upswing in our form.”
