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Chennaiyin vs East Bengal Preview: Rivals to finish level again

By Moti Prakash

17 Jan 2021

Moti Prakash 17 Jan 2021

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Chennaiyin vs East Bengal preview
Chennaiyin have drawn 3 of their last 5 matches
East Bengal have drawn 4 of their last 6 matches.
Match preview, predictions and latest team news.

East Bengal have draw 4 of their last 6 matches (Getty Images)

Chennaiyin Form

Chennaiyin got their first win in five games with victory over Odisha on Wednesday to move up to sixth in the ISL table.

Csaba Lazlo's side had drawn three of their previous four matches, but gained a much needed win with a 2-1 success over the bottom side.

On his return to the starting line-up, Isma scored twice in the opening 21 mintues - the second from the penalty spot. Diego Mauricio pulled one back for Odisha mid-way through the second-half.

Chennaiyin's winless run started with a 2-2 draw with East Bengal and also saw them draw 0-0 with ATK Mohun Bagan and Odisha.

They suffered a 4-1 blowout defeat to Hyderabad before winning in last week in the rematch with Odisha. Despite the two goals from Isma, they remain the lowest scorers with 10 goals in 11 games.

Chennaiyin Team News

Chennaiyin have signed midfielder Manuel Lanzarote on a short-term deal for the remainder of the season. He replaces the injured Rafael Crivellaro.

Former Goa midfielder Lanzarote will have to complete a quarantine period before becoming available with Csaba Lazlo likely to name an unchanged side.

East Bengal Form

A last-gasp equaliser from Scott Neville saw East Bengal extend their unbeaten run to six games courtesy of a 1-1 draw with Kerala Blasters.

Robbie Fowler's side looked like slipping to defeat Jordan Murray's second-half goal. But Neville headed home five minutes into added time.

East Bengal started their unbeaten run with a 1-1 draw against Kerala and then drew 2-2 with Chennaiyin.

They followed that by defeating Odisha 3-1 in a bottom of the table clash before another 1-1 draw, this time against Goa.

East Bengal were 1-0 winners over Bengaluru with Matti Steinmann getting the only goal, before drawing on Friday with Kerala.

East Bengal Team News

With the quick turnaround from Friday's game, Robbie Fowler might consider some changes.

Anthony Pilkington and Aaron Amadi-Holloway could come in having been substitutes against Kerala.

Head to Head

The first meeting between these two sides ended in a 2-2 draw on Boxing Day. Chennaiyin twice led through Lallianzuala Chhangte and Rahim Ali, but two Matti Steinmann equalisers sealed a point for East Bengal.

Predictions

These two sides finished level on Boxing Day and another draw is predicted. Chennaiyin have drawn three of their last five and East Bengal have drawn four of their last six matches.

Chennaiyin have lost 1 of their last 7 matches (Indian Super League).
Chennaiyin have drawn 3 of their last 5 matches (Indian Super League).
Chennaiyin drew 2-2 with East Bengal in the first meeting between the sides on Boxing Day (Indian Super League).
East Bengal are unbeaten in their last 6 matches (Indian Super League).
East Bengal have drawn 4 of their last 6 matches (Indian Super League).
East Bengal have seen BTTS in 6 of their last 7 matches (Indian Super League).