Hyderabad FC will be looking to end their eight-match winless run in Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2019-20 when they welcome Chennaiyin FC to the G.M.C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium on Friday. Currently rooted at the bottom of the standings, Hyderabad need to put together a run of positive results sooner rather than later if they want to keep their bleak top four hopes alive. Chennaiyin FC, meanwhile, are four points above Hyderabad in the standings and will want to return to winning ways after back-to-back losses.

Hyderabad FC

The Hero ISL newcomers will want to put the defeat in their previous match behind them quickly after coming out on the wrong side of a 5-1 scoreline. Injuries have severely affected their campaign thus far and is likely to keep first-choice centre-back Rafael Lopez on the sidelines against Chennaiyin. Having said that, Matthew Kilgallon, Sahil Panwar, Gurtej Singh and Adil Khan still make for some formidable defensive talent and will need to be switched on from start to finish.

In midfield, the likes of Abhishek Halder, Nikhil Poojary and Rohit Kumar will be looking to find more consistency in their game, while their foreign recruits Giles Barnes, Nestor Benitez and Marcelo Pereira will be hoping to unlock the opposition defence with their guile and creativity. Up front, their in-form striker Bobo will be aiming to continue his goal-scoring exploits by adding to his tally of five goals this season. After a slow start to the season, the Brazilian frontman has come into his own of late and will be Hyderabad’s most potent threat against Chennaiyin.      

Chennaiyin FC

The two-time champions succumbed to successive losses following their first win under head coach Owen Coyle, but they will be confident in their ability to beat Hyderabad having gotten the better of them once already this season. However, for that to happen they’ll need their frontmen Nerijus Valskis and Andre Schembri to fire. Chennaiyin’s top-scorer with five goals, Valskis will be eager to make amends after missing a penalty in his last outing, while Schembri will want to add to his tally of three goals as well.

Chennaiyin’s backline needs to be on top of their game, too, and look to keep a clean sheet after picking the ball out from the back of their net on six occasions during their last two outings. Lucian Goian, Eli Sabia, Jerry Lalrinzuala and Laldinliana Renthlei must ensure that they’re on the same page if they are to keep things tight at the back. As far as their creative thrust is concerned, Anirudh Thapa, Lallianzuala Chhangte and the in-form Rafael Crivellaro will be entrusted with carving open the opposition.

Probable line-ups:

Hyderabad FC: Kamaljit Singh (GK), Adil Khan, Gurtej Singh, Matthew Kilgallon, Rohit Kumar, Nikhil Poojary, Asish Rai, Marko Stankovic, Bobo, Marcelo Pereira (C), Nestor Jesus Benitez

Chennaiyin FC: Vishal Kaith (GK), Lucian Goian, Eli Sabia, Tondonba Singh, Rafael Crivellaro, Germanpreet Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Nerijus Valskis, Andre Schembri

DID YOU KNOW?

• Hyderabad FC are on a winless streak of eight matches.
• Hyderabad have scored just three goals in the first half – the lowest tally in the division.
• Chennaiyin have scored just two goals from set-pieces – the joint second lowest in the league.

Fan Speak:

Matthew Kilgallon or Lucian Goian. Which defender will play a central role and help their team keep a clean sheet?

Live Broadcast Schedule:

Hero ISL 2019-20 Match 56: Hyderabad FC vs Chennaiyin FC

Date: January 10 (Friday)

Time: 7:30 PM onwards

Channels: Star Sports Network

Streaming: Hotstar and Jio TV