ISL Match Preview: Chennaiyin FC and Odisha FC to battle each other to keep bleak top 4 hopes alive

Chennaiyin FC prepare to take on Odisha FC in a do or die battle in the Hero Indian Super League 2021-22 (ISL) at the Tilak Maidan Stadium, Goa on Wednesday with an aim of keeping their season alive.

Both teams are placed alike in the standings next to each other. Odisha FC are positioned seventh with 21 points (6W-3D), meanwhile, Chennaiyin FC stands eighth with 19 points (5W-4D).

With only a handful of matches remaining for each side, a draw too will feel like a loss.

Head-to-head

In five matches contested between them, Chennaiyin FC have won twice while Odisha FC have won once. In the reverse fixture this season, Chennaiyin FC got the better of Odisha FC with a 2-1 win.

Form Guide

Chennaiyin FC: WLDLL

In their last match, Chennaiyin FC faced the heaviest defeat in the club’s Hero ISL history, losing to FC Goa by 5-0. It was the first time that Chennaiyin had conceded 5 goals in a match in the Hero ISL. The defeat extended their winless streak to four matches.

Odisha FC: DLDWL

Similar to their current opponents, Odisha FC too tasted heavy defeat at the hands of Mumbai City FC in their last match (4-1). Their recent form has been turbulent with only one win in the last five matches and has not kept a clean sheet on the last four occasions.

Team News

Both clubs have a full squad at their disposal.

Key Players

Chennaiyin FC

Jerry Lalrinzuala: The defender has made 51 tackles, 25 blocks and 21 clearances, forming an important part of the defence.

Anirudh Thapa: The Chennaiyin FC skipper has 54 tackles, 27 blocks, and interceptions each to his name while scoring once.

Odisha FC

Jerry Mawihmingthanga: He will become the first player to make 50 Hero ISL appearances for Odisha FC. Jerry has scored 7 goals and assisted 11 goals. No other player has more goal contributions for Odisha FC than Jerry (18).

Jonathas Cristian: He scored Odisha’s only goal in their 4-1 defeat to Mumbai City FC, extending his run of scoring to four consecutive matches. He currently has seven goals and three assists to his name this season.

Key Stats

Plethora of goals

No team has scored more goals at the Tilak Maidan Stadium this season than Odisha FC (21).

The final fifteen minutes

Odisha FC have scored 10 goals in the last 15 minutes of games this season, the highest of any side. While Chennaiyin FC are the only side yet to score a goal in the last 15 minutes of games this season.

Match timings and telecast details

Match: Chennaiyin FC vs Odisha FC

Date: February 16, 2022

Venue: Tilak Maidan Stadium, Goa

Kick-off time: 7.30 pm IST