On the first Super Sunday of 2018, Chennaiyin FC will host the bottom of the table Delhi Dynamos FC in their fifth home game of ISL 2017/18 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai. Historically, the Delhi Dynamos have defeated the Season 2 champions four times in six encounters, while Chennai have managed to win just one.
Chennaiyin FC are currently level with the table toppers FC Pune City with 16 points but have played one less game than the Stallions. They will look to claim the top spot once again with a win over struggling Delhi Dynamos.
On the other side, Delhi are on a six-game losing streak right now, which is the longest in Indian Super League history. After winning their opening game, Delhi have failed to get even a single point in the season and are currently at the bottom of the points table.
With Delhi desperately looking to bounce back, we are expecting an exciting game in Chennai tonight. Here is how the teams are expected to line up!
Chennaiyin FC
Chennaiyin FC will be without their head coach John Gregory as he is serving a four-game touchline suspension. They are currently on a three-game unbeaten run at home as well as in league and will look to continue the same. Despite injury issues, the assistant coach Sabir Pasha is quite confident of his side to continue their good run at home.
With Sereno and Mihelic being injured, we are expecting Raphael Augusto, Keenan Almeida and Gavilan to replace Fransisco, Sereno and Mihelic in the starting XI. They will continue their favored formation of 4-2-3-1 to keep a balance between attack and defence.
Chennaiyin FC Probable Starting XI: Karanjit, Calderon, Jerry, Mailson, Keenan, Bikramjit, Dhanpal, Gavilan, Nelson, Augusto, Jeje.
Delhi Dynamos FC
Delhi Dynamos head coach Miguel Portugal is quite upset about his side's run of form. He believes that his players have failed to convert the opportunities into goals, which is hurting them the most and blamed set-pieces for goals conceded.
With Mirabaje being suspended for the game, we are expecting Cichero and Chhangte to replace Mirabaje and Pratik in the starting XI from last game. The Spaniard is expected to field his boys in 4-2-3-1 which can be easily converted in 4-3-3 with Chhangte and Romeo shifting in front alongside Fernandez.
Delhi Dynamos FC Probable Starting XI: Arnab, Pritam, Cichero, Moya, Lumu, Vinit, Paulinho, Sekar, Romeo, Chhagte, Fernandez.
Prediction
Chennaiyin FC 3-0 Delhi Dynamos FC
Chennaiyin FC will look to make the most out of Delhi’s weak defence and expected to take home all 3 points tonight. However, Delhi will have to do a lot to find the back of the net against the strong Chennai defence.