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Chennaiyin FC return to action in the ISL, as they entertain Atletico de Kolkata in a top-of-the-table clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Both teams will enter the game fresh, as Chennai have had a six day break, and Kolkata, a seven day break.
Being the home team, Chennaiyin will look to continue their great run of form, while Atletico will try to stay unbeaten and keep moving on their path to ISL glory.
Venue and Kickoff
The weather has been a concern in Chennai, with heavy rains rendering the pitch at the Nehru Stadium unfit for practice. Both teams trained today at an international school on the outskirts of the city. In Chennai's first two home games, they have had extreme vocal backing from their faithful, and Tuesday is expected to be no different.
Kickoff Time: 7pm IST
Team News
Chennaiyin FC
Marco Materazzi confirmed in the pre-match press conference that Colombian defender Jairo Suarez is injured and ruled out. Defender Abhishek Das remains ruled out, and goalkeeper Abhijit Mondal is out of contention.
Gouramangi Singh is expected to switch flanks and move to right back, with Dhanachandra Singh taking his spot at left back. The only spots for Materazzi to have a think over are who will partner John Mendoza between Balwant Singh and Jeje Lalpekhlua, and whether he himself retains a place in midfield or club captain Bojan Djordjic takes that spot. The Italian was not forthcoming when asked about probable changes.
Probable XI: Shilton Paul, Gouramangi Singh, Bernard Mendy, Mikael Silvestre, Dhanachandra Singh, Marco Materazzi, Harmanjot Khabra, Denson Devadas, Elano, John Mendoza, Jeje Lalpekhlua
Atletico de Kolkata
Ethiopian striker Fikru Teferra will miss the game as he is suspended, and Kolkata will also be without their coach Antonio Lopez Habas on the touchline.
Kolkata will welcome back captain Luis Garcia after the former Liverpool man recovered from a hamstring problem. The Spaniard is expected to take his place in a 3 man midfield alongside compatriot Borja Fernandez and Ofentse Nato.
Probable XI: Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, Josemi, Arnab Mondal, Kingkshuk Debnath, Biswajit Saha, Ofentse Nato, Borja Fernandez, Jofre, Cavin Lobo, Luis Garcia, Arnal Llibert
Key Battles
Luis Garcia vs Elano
In what is going to be battle royale of the creative midfielders, Garcia will lock horns against the ISL's top scorer Elano Blumer. Elano has been absolutely fantastic for Chennai. What will be Kolkata's biggest fear is Elano's deadliness from free kicks anywhere near the penalty area.
Kolkata's captain will make his return from injury, and while he was instrumental in setting up a couple of Fikru's goals early in the tournament, he will have to bed straight back in to the action as otherwise the Chennai midfield could just dominate the clash.
Borja Fernandez vs Marco Materazzi
Both Borja and Materazzi will be instrumental in anchoring their respective midfields. That both the battles are in midfield shows how much a battle of attrition this game is likely to be.
In tight games, it is often a lapse in concentration in midfield that can lead to the opposition scoring, and it will be the role of Materazzi and Borja to ensure that none of those lapses occur.
Prediction
Chennai have been imperious at home, while Kolkata are yet to lose a game in the league. A tight contest awaits, and Chennai's home advantage could just tip the scales in their favour.
Chennaiyin FC 1-0 Atletico de Kolkata
