Hyderabad FC VS Chennaiyin FC - Match Preview

12 Jan 2023 | Written By Shyam Sundar

Defending Champions Hyderabad FC will take on Chennaiyin FC at the Gachibowli Stadium, Telengana on 12th January, 2023. The match kicks off at 19:30 IST and will be telecasted live on Star Sports Network with live streaming also available on Disney+ Hotstar and JioTV.

Hyderabad FC come into this game in great form winning their last 6 games. The Nizams are currently placed second in the league with 31 points just 2 points behind Mumbai City FC. They have the best defense in the league conceding only 8 times in 13 games this season. Addressing the media ahead of the game, Manolo Marquez added "I think they (Chennaiyin FC) are a team that takes risks, and I like the way they play. They have improved in the last few games, and we expect a tough game."

Chennaiyin FC produced a brilliant comeback and managed to get a point in their last game against Jamshedpur FC. They have won only one of their last five games and are placed seventh in the league table with 15 points from 12 games. "We want to face them (Hyderabad FC) and to hurt them in a way with our abilities and try to catch points", added Head Coach Thomas Brdaric.

Head-to-Head:

Hyderabad FC and Chennaiyin FC have faced each other 7 times in the league and its even-steven between them. Both these sides have managed to win three games with one meeting ending in a draw. The reverse fixture between the sides ended in a 3-1 Hyderabad FC win at the Marina Arena.

Team News:

Hyderabad FC will miss the services of captain Joao Victor. Joao is nursing an injury and will miss the game. Barring Joao, everyone else is expected to be available for selection.

As far as Chennaiyin FC are concerned, they have an injury-crisis at the moment. El-Khayati will miss the game who is still recovering from his hamstring injury. They will also be without the services of winger Rahim Ali and midfielder Mohammed Rafique who are also injured at the moment. But, they will welcome the services of Debjit and Alexander Romario who have returened to the matchday squad after recovering from their injuries.

Probable Lineups:

Hyderabad FC: Gurmeet Singh(GK), Nikhil Poojary, Odei Onaindia, Nim Dorjee, Akash Mishra, Hitesh Sharma, Borja Herrera, Halicharan Narzary, Mohammad Yasir, Bart Ogbeche, Javier Siverio.

Chennaiyin FC: Samik Mitra(GK), Ajith Kumar, Vafa Hakhamaneshi, Fallou Diagne, Aakash Sangwan, Edwin Vanspaul, Julius Duker, Anirudh Thapa, Prasanth, Petar Sliskovic, Vincy Barretto.

Key Players:

Bart Ogbeche will be the key player for Hyderabad FC. Ogbeche had a slow start to the season scoring only twice in the first 10 games. But he is back to his best with 5 goals in his last 3 games including a hat-trick against FC Goa in his last game. Up against a leaky Chennaiyin defense, Ogbeche will be hoping to make the most of it.

Petar Sliskovic will be the key player for Chennaiyin FC. Petar is having an exceptional season so far scoring 7 goals in 12 appearances in the league. In the absence of El-Khayati, the goal scoring responsibility will rest on Petar's shoulders.