Preview: Bengaluru FC meet Chennaiyin in high-stakes Southern Derby

The previous meeting between these two teams ended in a draw.

Fireworks are always guaranteed when Bengaluru FC and Chennaiyin FC meet, and the magnitude of the clash at the Kanteerava is further amplified with both teams firmly in the playoffs race.

Bengaluru sit in seventh place with 19 points and are on a three-game winning streak. Chennaiyin meanwhile, are eighth with 17 points and have played one game less than Bengaluru. The Marina Machans have not tasted victory in their last five games, drawing four and losing one.

Against such a backdrop, let's see what this game has to offer!

The Stakes

Bengaluru FC

After a bitter start to the season, Simon Grayson’s men have finally zeroed in on a winning formula. Strikers Sivasakthi Narayanan and Roy Krishna have clicked well up front, and the individual errors leading to goals have dried up. A win will level their points with Odisha in sixth, and this is a derby they will be itching to come out on top.

Chennaiyin FC

A hamstring injury to the inspirational Nasser El Khayati has halted the momentum for Chennaiyin. Snapping the winless streak will be Thomas Brdaric’s primary goal. They have been on top of their matches, but have not found that one moment of brilliance which leads to a win.

Injury and Team News

No fresh concerns for Bengaluru FC. For Chennaiyin FC, Brdaric will take a call on El Khayati and Rahim Ali after the final training session.

Head-to-Head

Bengaluru dominate the head-to-head numbers, winning six out of the twelve matches between the two sides. Chennaiyin have managed three wins.

Bengaluru FC – 6

Chennaiyin FC – 3

Drawn – 3

Predicted Line-ups

Bengaluru FC (3-5-2)

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK), Prabir Das, Sandesh Jhingan, Alan Costa, Parag Shrivas, Naorem Roshan Singh, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Rohit Kumar, Javi Hernandez, Roy Krishna, Sivasakthi Narayanan

Chennaiyin FC (4-2-3-1)

Samik Mitra (GK), Ajith Kumar, Fallou Diagne, Vafa Hakhamaneshi, Aakash Sangwan, Jiteshwor Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Vincy Barretto, Julius Duker, Ninthoinganba Meetei, Petar Sliskovic

Player to Watch

Roy Krishna (Bengaluru FC)

Roy broke his goal draught against Odisha FC and scored a 25-yard wondergoal against Jamshedpur. His link-up play has been crucial in Bengaluru FC’s attacking plans, feeding the wing-backs out wide and dragging defenders out of position with his clever movement. BFC will need to bank on Roy for a late playoffs push, and the Fijian is hitting the right notes by striking timely form.

Aakash Sangwan (Chennaiyin FC)

The full-back has been one of the breakthrough stars of the season. A sound player defensively, Aakash picks his moments to push up the field and possesses the quality in the final third to produce accurate cut-backs and crosses to trouble defences. Aakash constantly tops the touches and key passes charts for Chennaiyin, who will hope he continues to improve game after game.

Did You Know?

• Chennaiyin beat Bengaluru 3-2 in the 2017 ISL final to lift their second trophy
• Ajith Kumar was formerly a Bengaluru FC player
• Jayesh Rane represented Chennaiyin FC in the past
• The last time Chennaiyin FC defeated Bengaluru FC was back in the 2018-19 season.

Telecast

The match between Bengaluru FC and Chennaiyin FC will kick off at 5:30 PM IST on 28th January, Saturday. The game will be played at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru. Live telecast will be available on the Star Sports Network. Disney+HotStar and JioTV will also stream the match.