League leaders Chennaiyin FC take on a resurgent Delhi Dynamos FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai, on Tuesday in what promises to be an exciting encounter in the last round of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL). Chennaiyin have already qualified for the semis along with FC Goa and a win will help them seal top spot.Fourth placed Delhi will also want a win after an impressive run of results saw them win three of their last four games. A victory against Chennai will see them rise to third in the standings and will assure them of a spot in the semis. A loss against Chennai would however mean that Delhi will have to bank on Kerala Blasters FC, FC Pune City and Mumbai City FC dropping points.Chennaiyin are the top goal scorers in the competition, having netted an impressive 22 goals. Delhi in comparison have netted only 14 times. The home side are far superior from an attacking point of view with far more shots (180-159) and shots on goal (93-81) than their opponents. Delhi however have good wingers like Steven Dias and Fracisco Fernandes and hence they have put in more crosses (246-184). Defensively, Chennai have been superior, having had more interceptions (319-318) and tackles (267-170) than the team from the capital city. Kristof Van Hout has kept more clean sheets however for Delhi (5) than has the home keeper (3).Form guide (most recent matches first)Chennaiyin FC: LWLWWDelhi Dynamos FC: WDWWL Mikaël Silvestre vs Gustavo Dos SantosThe former French international defender hasn’t had the best of the exchanges despite his team being in pole position. Silvestre however brings in the experience of having played with big clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal and will bank on this experience to stop talented Brazilian youngster Gustavo dos Santos from running amok. The lanky wide player has the knack of drifting in from the right and taking shots at goal. He has been rather successful with it so far and will want to continue his rich vein of form against the experienced Frenchman.Bruno Pelissari vs Hans MulderThe Brazilian midfielder has been thrust into the side following the injury to marquee man Elano Blumer and he hasn’t failed to perform in his prolific countryman’s absence. Commanding the midfield with consummate ease, Pelissari has been able to get on to the score sheet multiple times as well. He was a little lacklustre against a spirited Goa in his last encounter and will want to put that behind him. He will be up against Delhi midfield general Hans Mulder. The Dutchman is a thoroughly committed player and gives it his all every time he ventures out on to the field. Converting defence to attack easily, he sets the tempo for his team to excel and will be the key to his team’s success.Jeje Lalpekhlua vs Stijn HoubenThe Indian forward nearly got on to the score sheet against Goa in his previous encounter. A tenacious striker, Jeje has the ability to make darting runs at the opposition’s defence to put them under pressure. He can also bring players around him into play with his clever passing and positioning. The 19-year-old Stijn Houben is not an experienced customer but he has a point to prove. He will have a want to put on a good show against the diminutive forward and help his team get the win.Players to watchChennaiyin FCJean-Eudes Maurice – It will be interesting to see whether Maurice is given a starting berth after his goal in the previous match against Goa. He beat Grégory Arnolin to the ball and slipped it through the defenders’ legs with the goalkeeper way off his line. It was intelligent and quick thinking on the part of the French-born Haitian striker. His pace can trouble the Delhi defence.Delhi Dynamos FCMads Junker – The Danish striker has blown hot and cold throughout the campaign so far. He failed to score in his previous game despite getting a good chance. However, he has the pedigree and is a terrific player to have especially in the penalty box as he can pounce on half chances and make them count.Team speakChennaiyin FCMarco Materazzi (player-head coach): “My team knows that top sides don’t have two bad games in a row. We want to win the last game before the semi-finals.”Delhi Dynamos FCHarm van Veldhoven (head coach): “It is always better that you know that you need to win. We go in with a clear mind-set: to go out and win.”
