Chennaiyin FC aim for turnaround against Odisha FC

Clifford Miranda returns to face Odisha FC with whom he won the 2023 Super Cup.

Chennaiyin FC has had a rough start to the 2025/26 Indian Super League season, sitting at the bottom of the table with no points after two games. Their first two games were against relatively superior teams with stronger squads than the Marina Machans.

Up next, they’ll play a slightly inferior Odisha FC away from home in an early kickoff on March 1, 2026.

Odisha FC, on the other hand, has only one game under their belt after their first match against Punjab FC was postponed. They were able to keep their defense against Inter Kashi and draw their first game. While TG Purushothaman seeks to lay a solid foundation with his Juggernauts, Clifford Miranda seeks to establish himself at Chennaiyin FC.

Here is a brief overview of the teams and their pregame form.

The Stakes

Odisha FC

Odisha FC, under a new head coach with a lot of departures and very little pre-season were predicted to lose their first game against Inter Kashi by most. But TG Purushothaman’s squad surprised everyone by displaying a high degree of maturity and organization on the field to withstand Habas’ Inter Kashi.

The squad appeared to be quite strong defensively and in midfield, winning several duels. While their attack had some brilliant moments, with Isak spearheading from the left, as a whole, they were unorganized and weak. However, as they continue to play, they are anticipated to improve.

Going up against a Chennaiyin team that is winless in five games this season, TG Purushothaman will not have a better chance to win his debut game as Odisha FC head coach in their home stadium and win the hearts of the ardent supporters.

Chennaiyin FC

Chennaiyin FC’s season is off to a rocky start, with losses to Mohun Bagan SG and Mumbai City FC in their first two matches. When considering the 2025–2026 AIFF Super Cup, Clifford Miranda has not won in his five games as Chennaiyin FC’s head coach.

While not being able to keep clean sheets at the back is a problem, the most alarming aspect for Chennaiyin FC is their lack of attacking threat. They have only scored once in these five games, and it was a goal from goalie Samik Mitra.

The offense spearheaded by Inigo Martin and Irfan Yadwad has been disjointed in previous ISL matches.

With Irfan Yadwad pushed to the left wing and Noguera forced to drop deeper to carry the ball forward, Inigo Martin appears to be on his own in attack, with little help from his wingers or midfielders.

In reality, the squad has failed to create a big chance in attack, demonstrating their lack of attacking danger and creativity.

There is no better setting or circumstance for Clifford Miranda to get his first victory as Chennaiyin head coach and gain some optimism ahead of the Southern derby than a place that Clifford is familiar with, a place where Chennaiyin FC went and won last season, playing against a team that only has one foreign player.

Team News:

Odisha FC is likely to have a fully fit side, with no fresh injury worries noted in the camp since their draw against Inter Kashi FC.

Regarding Chennaiyin FC, Mohammad Nawaz who sustained an injury against Mohun Bagan SG is back in training. However, his availability is still a doubt.

Head-to-Head (in ISL)

Matches Played – 12

Odisha FC wins – 3

Chennaiyin FC wins – 5

Draws – 4

Predicted Lineups:

Odisha FC (4-4-2):

Amrinder Singh (GK); Saviour Gama, Carlos Delgado, Thoiba Singh, Zuidika; Isak Vanlalruatfela, Puitea, Rohit Kumar, Rahul KP; Rahim Ali, VP Suhair.

Chennaiyin FC (4-2-3-1):

Samik Mitra (GK); Dinliana, Elsinho, Pritam Kotal, Mandar Rao Dessai, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Mohammed Bemammer; Farukh Choudhary, Alberto Noguera, Irfan Yadwad; Inigo Martin.

Players to watchout:

Odisha FC – Isak Vanlalruatfela

Odisha FC will require an outstanding level of individual excellence this season if they are to finish in a respectable place in the league. And there is where Isak will be crucial to the Juggernauts’ success. He has been one of the league’s greatest wingers in recent seasons, and he showed glimpses of it in the opening game against Inter Kashi.

Isak will play a key role facing the Chennaiyin defense’s right-hand side, which consists of Dinliana and Pritam, both of whom have shown incredibly unsteady this season.

Ortiz and Brandon produced several opportunities from the left flank in the first game, and Robson followed likewise in the second. Isak’s ability to cut in and score goals will pose a serious danger to the Chennaiyin defense given Samik’s vulnerability at near post.

Chennaiyin FC – Irfan Yadwad

With Inigo Martin striving for chances and help up front, and Imran Khan still to establish himself at Chennaiyin, Irfan Yadwad is expected to lead this Chennaiyin FC assault on his own, like he did last season under Owen Coyle.

He didn’t score in his first six games of the previous season as well. However, once he scored and gained confidence, he started to look more threating in the attack.

Playing against Zuidika would be difficult given his athleticism and physique, but Irfan Yadwad has demonstrated that he has the ability to produce a moment of individual brilliance and score a goal out of nowhere.

Whether he starts on the left or in the middle, he will be Chennaiyin’s strongest offensive danger against the Juggernauts.

Telecast details:

The match between Odisha FC and Chennaiyin FC will take place on March 1, 2026.

The match kicks off at 5:00 PM IST. The match will be shown live on Sony Ten 2 and Sony Ten 2 HD and will be available to stream on Fancode.

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