Tuesday night, yes, I know that is strange for the ISL, sees the clash we have been waiting to see as 2nd placed Chennaiyin play host to top of the league Bengaluru. This game has the potential to be an absolute classic, with both teams flying in the league throughout the season. Chennaiyin might want to win this a little more than Bengaluru as they aim to close the gap. Let’s get right to the stats.
The Stats…
Chennaiyin go into the game sitting 2nd and flying through the season. They currently sit four points behind their opponents, but they have a game in hand, so if they beat Bengaluru and win their game in hand they will go top. Their goalscoring record is impressive after scoring nineteen goals and only conceding fourteen. Their form, going into the game, is mixed, winning three, drawing one and losing one. However, they seem to enjoy playing against better opposition, looking at their previous results.
Bengaluru go into the game top of the league, four points clear of their opponents, and looking comfortable. They have a very impressive goal scoring record this season, netting twenty-five goals, and only conceding fourteen. They come into the game in very good form, winning four and losing one of their previous five in the league. They haven’t lost in their previous five, across all competitions, and they have won their previous three.
Previous Encounter…
The last time these two met was back in December, the game ended 2-1 in Chennaiyin’s favour. The win came about thanks to some late drama and an eighty-eighth-minute winner. Bengaluru dominated proceedings, having 68% possession, but this didn’t help them win the game. Surprisingly, even with less possession, Chennaiyin created the most chances, having sixteen shots compared to Bengaluru’s eight.
The game itself was a good game, it would have been better if Chennaiyin were more adventurous but they won the game, so what am I talking about?
The Game Itself…
If the table is anything to go by then this game will be one for the ages. Both teams are in good form and good goalscoring form. I expect Chennaiyin to soak up a little more pressure from Bengaluru as they seem to do this against better opposition. Bengaluru will be happy to dominate possession but this seems to be a curse to teams in the ISL. I’m sure if you look through the results this season, teams with less possession will come out on top more times than the teams that dominate possession.
This could be a cracking game, but now I have hyped it up, it’ll be a boring 0-0 draw. Sorry!
Key Player…
This game’s award had been the most difficult I have had to make all season. One name that always comes up when Bengaluru are involved is Sunil Chhetri. The guy is the perfect player for this league, he scores goals and his link-up play isn’t too bad for a goal scorer.
Another name to come up into consideration was Chennaiyin winger Gregory Nelson. He is what makes Chennaiyin tick, especially with his wing play. If he manages to get into the game quickly then Bengaluru are in trouble.
The player I have picked for my key player is Jeje. This guy just oozes quality, he has seven goals this season and I wouldn’t put it past him adding to this total against Bengaluru. He has a fantastic partnership with Nelson, and if they can link up together throughout the game, we could be in for some cracking goals.
Finally…
With all this being said, I will simply leave you with this. I can see the game being a close encounter, and potentially a goal-fest. I am going to go with a Chennaiyin win, with the scoreline being 2-1. However, now I have said this, Bengaluru will go and smash Chennaiyin, or it’ll be the worst game all season and end up 0-0. Hopefully not though.
