Hyderabad, Chennaiyin face each other in race for top 4 (Match Preview 77)

Vasco (Goa), Jan 30 : Hyderabad FC are looking to cement their place in their top four while Chennaiyin stand a chance at getting closer to a playoff spot when the two teams face each other in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Tilak Maidan on Sunday A win will help Hyderabad overtake FC Goa and get closer to ATK Mohun Bagan who play later that day. For Chennaiyin, three points is exactly what separates them and their opponents in the day’s early kickoff.
Current form would favour Hyderabad who are on a six-match unbeaten run. But coach Manuel Marquez will be worried by the fact that four of those six games ended in draws despite Hyderabad arguably looking the better team. He believes the solution is simple — his strikers need to take their chances more.
“The team needs to score [from] the chances, that is very clear. But the most important thing is to have these clear chances. I think that it’s true that the team plays good football that is attractive to people. But in football, the most important thing is the final score,” said Marquez.
A welcome return to form for striker Aridane Santana should help solve part of their problem. Santana had four shots on target in their last game and was instrumental in the comeback against Bengaluru FC.
For Chennaiyin, the match represents an opportunity to not just close the gap, but to make amends for a poor performance in the reverse fixture.