ISL 2026-27: Chennaiyin FC looks for sweet homecoming in southern derby vs Kerala Blasters
Chennaiyin FC had won just one of its six home games last season — a record it will look to improve on in the 2026-27 campaign, starting with the match against Kerala Blasters.
Updated : Oct 30, 2026 19:34 IST , Chennai - 4 MINS READ
Chennaiyin FC has two losses and a draw in the league so far and will look to break the duck in the southern derby vs Kerala Blasters. | Photo Credit: R. Ragu
Chennaiyin FC has two losses and a draw in the league so far and will look to break the duck in the southern derby vs Kerala Blasters. | Photo Credit: R. Ragu
For Chennaiyin FC, the only way to go is up. Nine points from 13 games, nine goals scored, and one spot away from relegation last season is far from the quality of title-challenging sides from yesteryear.
The start to this campaign has not been encouraging either.
One draw and two losses leave head coach Clifford Miranda with more questions than answers as Chennaiyin welcomes Kerala Blasters at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Saturday.
Both teams go into the tie with negative goal differences, with the Blasters (-1) sitting slightly better than their southern rival (-3).
But according to Miranda, “The dynamic is different” in their camp this season. More than half the squad was overhauled over the summer, a decision which he believes is showing early promise.
“I am only as good as the players that I have. If I don’t have certain kind of players, I cannot play a certain kind of football. But I am able to implement this year because of the players that I have with me,” Miranda said.
The improvement has been noticeable on the pitch, to say the least. Madih Talal and Nikola Stojanovic’s arrival from Jamshedpur FC has injected some much-needed creativity to Chennaiyin’s midfield, with Miranda going as far as to describe Talal as the “best number 10 in the division.”
However, Chennaiyin has been sloppy in putting away its chances and will hope that its Indian forwards Brison Fernandes and Irfan Yadwad can consistently start finding the back of the net.
“I think we are better than last season. To the naked eye, we are not scoring goals, but the fact is that we have more control (now). We are dominating games in the final third unlike last season,” Miranda noted.
“But there is no excuse; we must start scoring. That is what wins you football matches,” he added.
But despite the struggles in front of goal, KBFC boss Ashley Westwood recognised the threat that Chennaiyin poses. “They fill a lot of spaces to try and get central overloads. So we have to be nice and compact, because if you’re not, they will find holes and spaces, and that is what they did in the last game against Mohun Bagan,” Westwood explained.
“I think arguably they should have won that game. They deserve more points than what they’ve got,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Blasters have their own share of attacking troubles. New signings Andre Green, Momo Yansane and Mohammed Sanan are all yet to hit their stride, with Westwood admitting that he is still searching for his best 11.
Adrian Luna’s return from loan last season is a positive impetus, and while he gets back into rhythm, he will be relieved to share his creative duties with Montenegrin Nebojsa Kosovic, who ran KBFC’s midfield during their 0-0 draw against Mumbai City.
Blasters’ attack will be particularly hopeful it can make inroads into the Chennaiyin defence, which Miranda said is likely to be without its towering Portuguese defender Nuno Reis. Adding to the woes, the coach confirmed that local players Vignesh Dakshinamurthy, Maheson Singh Tongbram and Glan Martins are not ready to feature.
It is still early days, but neither side will be looking to use that as an excuse as the new-look Indian Super League comes to Chennai for the first time this campaign. The pressure will, however, be heavier on Chennaiyin, especially after winning just one of its six home games in the last edition.
Published on Oct 30, 2026
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