(Football news) Chennaiyin FC will look to go top of the table but will have their big task against a quality Bengaluru FC in the 2021-22 Hero Indian Super League at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim on Wednesday.

Chennaiyin are fourth on the league table with 18 points from 12 games. A win on Republic Day would see them overtake Jamshedpur FC, Kerala Blasters FC and Hyderabad FC to the top of the table but for that Bozidar Bandovic's wards will have to topple Bengaluru FC who played out a gritty draw in their last game. The Blues hadn't trained for over a week before the game against FC Goa but Sunil Chhetri's first goal of the season ensured they came out with a point after Goa had taken the lead.

Bengaluru are eighth in the table and a victory would mean they close the gap on the top-four teams. Head coach Pezzaiuoli would be a happy man after Indian skipper Chhetri ended his goal drought. The legendary forward was dropped to the bench after his indifferent start to the season but came back strong in the last game.

Pezzaiuoli though would be concerned with the team's list of injury concerns. "We have a few problems in terms of personnel. Ashique (Kuruniyan) had an injury after a sprint, Cleiton (Silva) is a question mark, and we are not sure if (Yrondu) Musavu-King can play again this season because we have to assess his injury," the Blues' boss said on the eve of the game.

For Chennaiyin, Vlagyimir Koman's return from injury was crowned with a goal in the last game and the Hungarian midfielder is now their leading scorer this campaign with three goals. Bandovic would also like to work on his team's incisiveness in the final third. However, Bandovic revealed that talented winger Lallianzuala Chhangte may not be a part of his side. "I'm not playing Chhangte for tactical reasons. The player's contract is coming to an end and it's up to the player to make a decision," Bandovic said.

The last time the two southern rivals met in the derby, Bengaluru ran out 4-2 winners in a high-scoring tie.

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