Match: Bengaluru FC vs Mumbai City FC
Date: January 5, at 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Fatorda Stadium, Margao, Goa
The defending champions, Bengaluru FC will be playing hosts to Mumbai City FC on Saturday as they look to continue their positive run in this season’s campaign.
An exciting clash is on the cards in the ISL as former champions Bengaluru FC will lock horns with Mumbai City FC. The match will be held at the Fatorda Stadium in Margao, Goa.
Bengaluru FC are placed in the fifth position on the ISL points table with a tally of 12 points from eight games. The Blues have lost their previous two ISL encounters after a streak of six unbeaten matches.
Mumbai City FC are in the second spot on the ISL standings and a win over the Blues will help them regain the summit. They have accumulated 19 points from eight matches with six wins, one draw, and one loss.
Mumbai will be the favorites going into this mouthwatering ISL clash with Bengaluru FC.
Carles Cuadrats’s men currently occupy the second spot with 13 points on board while being just a point behind ATK. Bengaluru FC’s defence has just conceded two goals in the ongoing season and will make matters hard for Mumbai City FC.
Things haven’t been all rosy for Mumbai as they’ve won just the one game against Kerala Blasters this season which was soon followed by four draws out of their last six games. Jorge Costa will be keen on registering back-to-back wins in order to stand a chance of making it to the playoffs as the season edges close to the end.
Rahul Bheke has returned to fitness and was subbed in during the 1-0 win over Odisha FC in Pune . Bheke is likely to come in place of Albert Serran in defence. Harmanjot Singh Khabra and Nishu Kumar have been real assets for their side and should retain their spots in the lineup. Manu Onwu remains on the sidelines due to an ankle injury. With that being said, Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh and Aashique Kuruniyan should be in charge of the attack.
The positive news for Mumbai City is that Mato Grgic, Paulo Machado and Modou Sougou have returned to fitness and will hopefully play a part for the visitors on Sunday. Amine Chetri and Mohamed Larbi should be getting adequate support with the number of players returning to the squad.
Club captain, Sunil Chhetri is the obvious threat in front of goal for Bengaluru FC. Chhetri has three goals from seven games this season.
Amine Chermiti has been pivotal in the attacking front three for Mumbai City. Chermiti has bagged four goals from seven games so far.
