Delhi: After an impressive start to their Indian Super League (ISL) campaign, Chennaiyin FC take on crowd favourites Delhi Dynamos in the 12th match of the ISL on Saturday here at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium.
Chennai have won both their previous matches against Goa FC and Kerala Blasters FC. Delhi Dynamos, on the other hand, are unbeaten but yet winless. Delhi have drawn both their matches against FC Pune City (0-0) and Atletico de Kolkata (1-1) and have scored just one goal in two games. Meanwhile, Chennai won both their matches in identical fashion, beating Goa and Kerala 2-1.
Delhi come into the match be hoping to register their first win in the tournament as they would have realised by now that any more slip-ups can harm their chances of making it to the top four. Meanwhile, high-flying Chennai franchisee will be fresh from their thrilling win against Kerala and will be hoping to consolidate their position on the points table.
Pavel Elias, who scored a stunning goal for the Dynamos against Kolkata, should surely retain his place after impressing as right-back while Shouvik Ghosh, highly rated in the Indian circuit, also helped temper the Kolkata attack from the left-back slot. But a side consisting of the deadly trio of Alessandro Del Piero, Martin Skuobo and Mads Junker, Delhi will be hungry to score goals. The trio is yet to open their account and will be hoping to find their rhythm against Chennaiyin.
Keeping the performance of midfield in mind, it is likely to remain the same for Delhi as in the previous match. Defensive midfielder Hans Mulder has been the star for Delhi in the middle of the park and has kept the tempo flowing. He has been an important link between the defence and the attack. Besides him, Bruno Herrero has also been instrumental in blocking the opposition attacks.
Chennaiyin FC come into the match fully aware that a win here will take them just a point behind Kolkata and having played one game less, surely that will give them an edge. Elano and Bernard Mendy have been the stars for the team, and the former PSG and Manchester City players can once again prove more than handful for Delhi if not marked tightly.
In the midfield, Chennai duo of Bojan Djordjic and Denson Devadas have been consistent in their performances and will once again be the key in preventing the likes of Hans and Delhi wingers. Defence has been the key for Chennai in the ISL so far in the form of Mendy, Mikel Silevstre and Gouramangi Singh who lend solidity in the back.
But a win here is surely more important for the hosts, but the visitors would want to keep their winning streak going.
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