Bengaluru FC vs Chennaiyin FC: Head-to-head record ahead of ISL 2026-27

The Blues have a massive head-to-head advantage over the Marina Machans

Battle lines will be drawn at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday as arch-rivals Bengaluru FC and Chennaiyin FC face each other in what would be a must-see fixture in matchweek 2 of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 season.

The Blues are coming into this game on the back of a late 3-2 win over SC Delhi in front of their home crowd. Chennaiyin FC, on the other hand, drew 1-1 with FC Goa in their season opener and will be looking to pick up their first win.

Let’s have a look at how this Southern rivalry has shaped up since the beginning.

How the rivalry shaped up in the early days…

Chennaiyin FC and Bengaluru FC first faced off at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on 17th December 2017. Both teams were battling it out for the top spot, and Chennai’s local boy Dhanpal Ganesh scored a late goal to give his club a 2-1 win in their first-ever game against BFC. 

Though Bengaluru FC won the reverse fixture 3-1, the Marina Machans would have the final laugh as they beat the Blues on their home turf to win the ISL 2017-18 final. A brace from Mailson Alves brought Chennaiyin their second trophy as they won 3-2 on the night. 

The two rivals traded a win each in the 2018-19 season; however, the tables literally turned on Chennaiyin FC as the defending champions finished at the bottom of the pile, while their rivals went on to clinch their first ISL title exactly one year after they suffered heartbreak in 2018. 

The 2019-20 season saw Bengaluru FC thrash Chennaiyin 3-0 at the Kanteerava while the reverse fixture at the Marina Arena ended in a goalless draw. Owen Coyle’s CFC made it to the ISL final this time around; however, ATK ended their dreams with a 3-1 win in what turned out to be their last ever game for the Kolkata club. 

Bengaluru FC have dominated Chennaiyin FC post COVID

Since the ISL 2020-21 season, this rivalry has been dominated by Bengaluru FC. The Blues won three of the four games when the ISL was played behind closed doors in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. The 2022-23 season saw a 1-1 draw at the Marina Arena, while BFC won 3-1 at the Kanteerava. 

Chennaiyin FC finally tasted victory against BFC in the ISL 2023-24 season, when they beat the Blues 2-0 at the Marina Arena. However, Bengaluru FC returned the favour with a 1-0 win at home. The 2024-25 season saw BFC win both at home and away, and the trend continued last season as well, with Bengaluru picking up a 2-1 win in Chennai. 

To sum it all up, since 2020, Bengaluru FC have won 8 of the 11 games while Chennaiyin FC have picked up just one win. To add to the bragging rights, Bengaluru FC have won the last four games against the Marina Machans. 

Going into Saturday’s game, the pressure will be on Clifford Miranda’s side to reverse the trend and to get their first win of their ISL 2026-27 season. 

Bengaluru FC vs Chennaiyin FC: All time head-to-head record

Games played in all competitions: 18

Won by Chennaiyin FC: 4

Won by Bengaluru FC: 11

Draws: 3

So far the two Southern giants have not played each other in any competition outside of the Indian Super League. 

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