ISL 2022-23: Chennaiyin FC vs Hyderabad FC Live Updates

5:00 PM: Hello everyone and welcome to Khel Now’s LIVE COVERAGE of the Chennaiyin FC vs Hyderabad FC match in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23. The kick-off is just half an hour away! I’m your host Praketh Reddy, and I’ll be keeping you company through what promises a fascinating evening of football. Please wait for 30 Seconds for the Live blog to load.

Chennaiyin FC vs Hyderabad FC: Build-up

Chennaiyin FC will be up against their southern counterparts Hyderabad FC and will be playing their fifth home match of ISL 2022-23 at the Marina Arena. The Super Machans won their last home game against Jamshedpur FC (3-1) which was their first home win. Nasser El Khayati was the silver lining in their loss against Odisha FC in the last encounter and will be looking to make it to the playing XI for the first time this season.

The hosts have won two and lost three of their last five games, in an alternating pattern. Chennaiyin FC’s form at home this season which is concerning for them, as they have only won one home game out of four so far.

Abdenasser El Khayati came off the bench to score again in the last game. His double took his season’s tally to four goals in as many games. It will be interesting to see how long Brdaric uses the Dutchman as a super-sub before sacrificing one of his foreign players to include the midfielder in the starting XI. 

Hyderabad FC spent 40 days at the top of the Hero ISL before they lost their unbeaten streak and suffered back-to-back defeats. Not only did they lose, but they also failed to score in both games. In their short history, the defending champions have never failed to score in three consecutive Hero ISL games - a record that is at stake in the next game.

Losing first-choice shot-stopper Laxmikant Kattimani has evidently been a big blow for Hyderabad FC, but the defensive wall in front of Anuj Kumar will have to help the young keeper settle in between the sticks. Bartholomew Ogbeche has fired blanks in the last two games and could drop a little deeper or even onto the bench for the next match.