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Delhi Dynamos will host Mumbai City FC in what will be their second game in a gap of three days. With the Indian Super League now entering its business period, this is a must-win game for both the sides. A win for Roberto Carlos’s men will see them move ahead of FC Goa and into the top spot, two points clear. For Nicolas Anelka’s side though, a win will see them go level on points with Delhi Dynamos and into second place.
What might work in Mumbai’s favour though is the fact that they come from a prolonged rest as compared to the home side who have had lesser recovery time. Though that will not be much of an issue according to Delhi midfielder Hans Mulder. “The motivation is to reach to the top of the table and a win will help us do that. We can’t come up with these excuses now.”
An interesting stat surrounding the game has been that Mumbai have failed to register even a single win away from home in their entire ISL history and up against one of the most consistent team’s in the tournament, the side will have to up their game if they wish to reclaim their top four spot.
Kick-off Time and Live Telecast
Live Telecast: StarSports 1 & 2, StarSports HD1 & HD2
Live Streaming: starsports.com
Date and Time: Friday, 6th November 2015 – 1900 IST
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium - Delhi
Live updates on Sportskeeda
Team News
Delhi Dynamos
Dynamos will welcome back Souvik Chakraborty in the defense after the full-back served his one-match suspension in the tie against NorthEast United on Tuesday evening. The fitness of Chicao though will be a major concern for the home side which could lead to Carlos making his second ISL start.
The Brazilian failed to impress in the hour he played against the Highlanders in the previous fixture, and will be hoping for a better display this time around. The former Brazil full-back confirmed that on-loan West Brom striker Adil Nabi will finally get a run in the side.
Mumbai City FC
There are no immediate injury concerns for Anelka’s side, as the Frenchman will have an entire pool of options to choose from. The former Chelsea striker is expected to start once again alongside Chhetri and Norde in the attack. The only absentee from the side is Indian winger Gabriel Fernandes who is suffering from a thigh injury.
Assistant coach Oscar Bruzon also confirmed that midfielder Christian Bustos will start from the beginning. The Spaniard has been one of the best passers in the tournament so far misplacing just 21 passes out of more than 280 passes he has attempted in the seven ISL games.
Probable line-ups
Delhi Dynamos XI: Doblas; Riise, Anas, Souvik, Ralte; Mulder, Carlos; Malouda, Gadze, Francis; Robin
Mumbai City XI: Subrata Pal, A.Mehta, Cmovs, Darren O’Dea, Fanai; Juan Aguilera, Bustos; Subhash Singh, Sony Norde, Nicolas Anelka, Chhetri
Key Battles
Gadze vs Darren O’Dea
With three goals in the tournament so far, Ghanian forward Gadze finds himself as the top scorer for Delhi Dynamos. The African striker who found himself replaced by Robin Singh upon the Indian forward’s return has done well to reclaim his stake in the starting lineup and it is his goals that have proved vital in Delhi’s fine form in the tournament so far. The 21-year old has adjusted well to Indian conditions and has combined well with the likes of Malouda and Hans Mulder when going forward.
Against Mumbai though, the young forward will be up against Scottish defender Darren O’Dea who has been in fine form in the ISL so far. The former Toronto FC defender has been a leader in the Mumbai defense and his experience has worked in the favour of Anelka’s men who haven’t lost a game when the center back has featured. Against a pacy Gadze, the presence of O’Dea will be key as the 28-year old has done well so far when given a chance in the playing XI.
Riise vs Anelka
There will be a lot of eyes on this duel when former Chelsea forward Anelka comes up against Riise in the Delhi defense. The Liverpool full back has been struggling lately in the center back role and Anelka could see this as an opportunity to finally open his ISL account for the season. The Dynamos backline has looked shaky at times and with Mumbai’s strike force already in fine form this season, Riise will have to make sure he puts his best foot forward.
This will also be the first opportunity that the former Premier League rivals will come up against each other and with the duo having great mutual respect for each other, it could indeed be a mouthwatering clash despite both of them reaching the twilight of their career.
Prediction
The home side have shown signs of struggle against pacy forwards this time and with Norde and Chhetri in good touch, Carlos’s men could find it hard to match up with the stride of the game. The hard fought encounter looks most likey to end in a draw.
Delhi Dynamos 1-1 Mumbai City
