Delhi Dynamos looking to bounce back against wounded visitors Chennaiyin FC

by Kaushal Shukla October 8, 2015

Robero Carlos will be in charge of his first home game after taking over as the Delhi Dynamos’ marquee player-manager for the season two of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) when they take on Cehnnaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi later today. Delhi Dynamos underwent radical changes not just to their squad but also to their logo and club colors, but little changed for the Dynamos on the field as they came unstuck against FC Goa in their opening game.

Delhi’s opponents for today, Chennaiyin FC too didn’t have things going their way as they went down 2-3 to Champions Atletico de Kolkata at home in the season opener on Saturday.

So the game today is perfectly set up to be a feisty affair with both teams looking to open their account for the season.

Form Guide & Head to Head

As mentioned earlier in the preview, both teams come into the game on back of defeats in matches where they did have a part to play, but were undone by the sharpness of their opponents. So the form factor is slightly irrelevant considering its so early in the season.

In terms of the head to head, the Delhi Dynamos seem to have an upper hand as the Dynamos collected four points from their two encounters with the Chennai outfit. In the corressponding fixture last season, Delhi Dynamos handed Chennaiyin FC a 4-1 thrashing and came from two goals down to snatch a draw in Chennai.

The Dynamos will be drawing inspiration from their two games against Chennaiyin FC in the past as they look to kickstart their campaign

Team News

The Delhi Dynamos are expected to stick to a similar formation with which they started the game against FC Goa after Roberto Carlos said he is unlikely to involve himself from the start. That is likely to result in a midfield trio of Hans Mulder, Malsawmatalunga and Frenchman Florent Malouda.

Despite a shaky performance in Goa, Roberto Carlos is likely to keep faith in his back three of John Arne Riise, Chicao and Ali.

The Dynamos will be without Indian trio of local boy Robin Singh, and midfeilders Sehnaj Singh and Francis Fernandes who are with the Indian National team away in Turkmenistan.

Chennaiyin FC too will miss striker Jeje Lalpekhlua and goalkeeper Karanjit Singh who have received call ups to the national team for the friendlies against Turkmenistan and Oman. New signing Edel Bete who had an indifferent game against Atletico de Kolkata will be hoping to shrug off competition from Nidhin Lal to the goalkeeping spot.

Striker Balwant Singh is expected to take Jeje’s place in the line-up as Fikru is again expected to shrug off an injury concern to start the game.

Expected Starting Lineup (Delhi Dynamos: 3-5-2): Ghosh (GK), Riise, Ali, Chicao; Chakraborty, Ralte, Mulder, Malouda, Malsawmatulanga; Ferreira, Gadze.

Expected Starting Lineup (Chennaiyin FC: 4-3-1-2): Edel (GK); Potenza, Ralte, Mailson, Das; Augusto, Khabra, Singh; Elano; Teferra, Singh.

Manager’s Word

“I am very satisfied with the manner my team played. I am sorry to my fans for losing. But sometimes it is better to play well and lose,” said Carlos, who is now hoping the home fans will inspire his side on Thursday.

Prediction

Delhi Dynamos 2-1 Chennaiyin FC

Delhi Dynamos have a good record against Chennaiyin FC and home advantage makes them slight favourites for this contest. Roberto Carlos’ men showed plenty of promise against FC Goa in their opening game, while Chennaiyin looked a bit jaded. So the Dynamos are slight favorites playing at home.

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