Chennaiyin, East Bengal in Boxing Day battle

After trading some punches with FC Goa, Chennaiyin struck the decisive blow via super substitute Rahim Ali to earn the full quota of points last Saturday. Standing between Csaba Laszlo’s CFC and consecutive victories is winless East Bengal, which is battered and bruised after an exhausting start to its debut ISL campaign. 

For the record, Chennaiyin has collected eight points from its six pre-Christmas fixtures while Robbie Fowler-managed SCEB has a mere two points under its belt. However, CFC head coach Laszlo isn’t taking the duel lightly. “It will be a difficult challenge for us,” Laszlo said at the pre-match press conference. 

“Just because East Bengal hasn’t won a game so far, you can’t consider Chennaiyin as the favourite. SCEB is improving with each match,” he added. 

In the final third, CFC will rely heavily on its talismanic skipper Rafael Crivellaro, who sprang to life against Goa with two goal involvements. Crivellaro, alongside the offensive triumvirate of Jakub Sylvestr, Lallianzuala Chhangte and Fatkhulo Fatkhulloev, would hope to torment the shaky East Bengal defence. 

Attacker Esmael ‘Isma’ Goncalves, returning to action after suffering a hamstring injury, will only be fit to take a place on the nine-man bench. Makeshift midfielder Deepak Tangri has made a name for himself at the centre of the pitch and will operate with Anirudh Thapa. 

But, Chennaiyin will have to make a forced change to the backline as Reagan Singh is suspended for accumulating four yellow cards. “Right-back Reagan has done a very good job. However, these things are normal in football. I have a solution for the problem and we will be able to replace him,” said Laszlo, who could turn to Edwin Sydney Vanspaul. 

The other members of the defensive department – Eli Sabia, Enes Sipovic, Jerry Lalrinzuala and goalkeeper Vishal Kaith – are expected to retain their places. New entrant East Bengal has been woeful at both ends of the field, but would look to land a sucker punch on CFC.