Preview: Bengaluru FC eye three points against winless Hyderabad FC

Bengaluru FC will clash with the winless Hyderabad FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium to round off the Saturday double header of Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on February 24, at 7:30 PM IST.

This marks a landmark game for home team captain Sunil Chhetri, with the prolific forward playing his 150th ISL game in the process. Chhetri will want his special day to bring happy news for the Blues’ faithful after they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat in their previous contest against Mumbai City FC.

Though placed 10th in the table, Bengaluru FC must be aware that the fight for the sixth spot in the standings is wide open, with multiple teams hoping to stake claim for a qualification to the playoffs. They can ill-afford any slip-ups now, especially considering that this is a home encounter above anything else. For Hyderabad FC, few things have gone right in this campaign.

However, head coach Thangboi Singto has been repeatedly fielding an inexperienced, but young squad in the second half of the season, and he will want his players to mature and deliver some promising outcomes that could ignite a glimmer of hope for the future as the team approaches the final stages of its league run.

What’s at stake?

Bengaluru FC

The Blues kept a clean sheet in their previous home game, which was a 1-0 win over Chennaiyin FC. The coming clash gives them a chance to not concede twice consecutively in their bastion at the Kanteerava for the first time since October 2022.

Regardless of the middling results, Bengaluru FC has been enterprising in their approach.

The team averages 7.6 dribbles per game in ISL 2023-24, and their host of creative and industrious midfielders as well as forwards will be hoping to find multiple breakthroughs past the Hyderabad FC backline to not only secure three points but also boost their goal difference tally simultaneously.

Hyderabad FC

There is always light at the end of the tunnel, and Hyderabad FC will want the next game to the ray of sunshine that they have been seeking all throughout this season. They are unbeaten in their previous seven matches against Bengaluru FC, having won four times and drawn thrice in these games. In fact, they have better in each of their last six fixtures against the Blues, and only in front of East Bengal FC (7) and Odisha FC (8) have they recorded longer scoring streaks in the ISL. That should inspire them to snap their stretch of failing to score even a single goal in their last five matches in the ISL. Petteri Pennanen was the last player who netted for Hyderabad FC in the league, during their match against NorthEast United FC on December 10, 2023. Pennanen is no longer associated with the club but Singto will have to find newer heroes if he wishes to end this campaign on a high.

Key Players to Watch Out

Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)

The captain, leader, and legend of Bengaluru FC will be eager to find the back of the net in his 150th ISL match.

Chhetri is the highest-scoring Indian (4) in the league currently, and that speaks volumes about his class, calibre, and longevity.

Chhetri has recorded seven goal contributions in 14 appearances this season, averaging 18 passes per game at 71% accuracy.

He has earned 11 fouls, won 23 aerial duels, and continued to be the most trustworthy figure for the Blues in front of the goal.

Makan Chothe (Hyderabad FC)

Makan Chothe is being given an extended run in the attacking midfield role and though he has been impressive, the player will want his efforts to convert into tangible returns on the field. Chothe has made 12 passes per match at 71% accuracy.

However, Hyderabad FC has struggled to create chances moving forward and the genesis for that must come from someone who has gotten ample playing time under his belt so far.

Will Chothe be able to do that against a recently bolstered Bengaluru FC backline, powered by former Hyderabad FC stars like Nikhil Poojary and Chinglensana Singh?

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Head-to-Head

Played - 9

Bengaluru FC - 1

Hyderabad FC - 4

Draws - 4

Trivia: Hyderabad FC defensive mainstays Chinglensana Singh and Nikhil Poojary joined Bengaluru FC in the January transfer window.

Team Talk

“We have prepared well. The game against Mumbai City FC was a big step for us. We lost 2-0 but we created some good chances, two of which hit the post too. We want to stay compact,” Bengaluru FC assistant coach Renedy Singh said in the pre-match press conference.

“We have played against Sunil Chhetri and other national team players in BFC. They have strong centre backs. Bengaluru is a fighter of a team and one that is competitive too,” Hyderabad FC head coach Thangboi Singto said ahead of the game.

ISL Fantasy

Sunil Chhetri (7.3cr)

Key goal-scorer for Bengaluru FC

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (4.1cr)

Robust presence between the posts

Makan Chothe (4.1cr)

Has earned 15 fantasy points this season

If not registered already, fans can participate in the overall league or club-based leagues based on their preferences. Create private leagues, inviting friends and fellow football aficionados to compete. Prizes include a Sony PlayStation ®️ ️5 gaming console, EA Sports FC 24, signed club merchandise, and a Gift Card worth INR 20,000, which will be awarded to 100 winners at the end of the season. Sign up at: https://fantasy.indiansuperleague.com/

Where to Watch

Fans across the country can catch the action in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam. Fans can watch the action on linear channels like Sports18 Khel (Hindi), Sports18 1 HD (English), Sports18 3 SD (English, Hindi, Malayalam and Bengali), VH1 SD & HD (English), Surya Movies (Malayalam), News 18 Kerala (Malayalam – select matches) & DD Bangla (Bengali). Fans can also catch the action streaming Live for free on JioCinema, the home of Indian football. In addition to this, as part of FSDL’s partnership with OneFootball, ISL live streams and highlights of all matches of the upcoming 2023-24 season will be delivered across more than 190 countries.