Chennaiyin FC will look to continue to their four-match winning streak and close in on a play-offs spot when they take on defending champion Bengaluru FC in an Indian Super League (ISL) match at Chennai on Sunday. (More Football News)
With 15 goals in their last four matches, Chennaiyin are on a roll and forward Nerijus Valskis (12) who tops the goal-scoring charts will be the man to watch out for. After a lacklustre start to the 2019-2020 season which saw head coach John Gregory exit, the two-time champion have turned things around well under Owen Coyle. CFC, however, runs into a tough customer in Bengaluru FC which have the talismanic Sunil Chhetri in its ranks. The visiting team haven't been in the dominant form of late but will look to pull off a win to seal their play-off berth.
Bengaluru FC are close to sealing a semi-final spot, but can't afford to slip up, as they attempt to chase down the elusive top spot. At the pre-match press conference, the team's head coach Carles Cuadrat said Chennaiyin FC are in good form and also fighting for a top-four spot and emphasised the need to go for three points. Apart from Chhetri, custodian Gurpreet Singh Sandhu will be a key player for BFC as he would need to keep the Chennaiyin forwards at bay.
Match: 78th match of Indian Super League (ISL) 2019 -20, between Chennaiyin FC vs Bengaluru FC
Date: February 9 (Sunday)
Time: 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai
TV Channels: Star Sports Network
Live Streaming: Hotstar, Jio TV
Likely XIs
Chennaiyin FC: Vishal Kaith (GK), Laldinliana Renthlei, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Eli Sabia, Lucian Goian, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Edwin Vanspaul, Thoi Khangebam, Rafael Crivellaro, Andre Schembri, Nerijus Valskis.
Bengaluru FC: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK), Albert Serran, Juanan, Rahul Bheke, Nishu Kumar, Erik Paartalu, Dimas Delgado, Suresh Wangjam, Udanta Kumam, Sunil Chhetri, Deshorn Brown.
