Chennaiyin look to dethrone Hyderabad and break into top-four

Chennaiyin lost to FC Goa in their last encounter but their defence has been solid and against a Bartholomew Ogbeche-less Hyderabad, they would fancy their chances of holding fort even more.The current front-runner in the golden boot race finds himself suspended for Hyderabads upcoming match after picking up his 4th yellow card in the last game.

Former champions Chennaiyin FC will aim to break into the top-four at the expense of Hyderabad FC when the two teams clash in the Indian Super League here on Thursday.

Placed sixth in the points table, Chennaiyin will look to dislodge Hyderabad from fourth position as they are on 14 points to Hyderabad's 16. Chennaiyin lost to FC Goa in their last encounter but their defence has been solid and against a Bartholomew Ogbeche-less Hyderabad, they would fancy their chances of holding fort even more.

The current front-runner in the golden boot race finds himself suspended for Hyderabad's upcoming match after picking up his 4th yellow card in the last game. Ogbeche is a vital cog in Hyderabad's wheel and head coach Manolo Marquez will have his task cut out without the star Nigerian marksman.

''Our loss against Chennaiyin at the start of the season was an accident. They took advantage of our mistake. It is not about learning from that game. It is about how to score the chances you get. In football, you never know, the same could happen or you play a bad game and win 1-0,'' Marquez said.

For Chennaiyin, their attacking woes continue unabated, having found the back of the net only nine times this season from 10 games, the fewest by any team thus far. What would make coach Bozidar Bandovic more worried is Hyderabad's watertight backline. Hyderabad have conceded the joint fewest goals this season.

The biggest cause of concern would be Vladimir Koman's absence through injury. Bandovic is also eagerly awaiting a report from the team doctor to ascertain Nerijus Valskis' availability on Thursday, for an injury he sustained over the weekend.

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