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Mumbai City FC would look to move to the top of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) table with a win over beleaguered Champions Atletico de Kolkata when they pay a visit to Mumbai’s Dr D.Y. Patil Stadium on Sunday.
The two teams come into the game in contrasting fashions with Mumbai City in red hot form having won their previous three games while the defending Champions coming after suffering three straight defeats in their last three outings.
Atletico de Kolkata will have unhappy memories of coming to Mumbai as their last trip ended in a 2-1 defeat and a similar result on Sunday could see their title defence being dealt a major blow as we reach the half-way point in the league stage of the ISL.
Mumbai City FC will be looking to unleash an in-form Sunil Chhetri on the Atletico de Kolkata defence which has looked shaky in recent times and will be hoping their striker could continue his rich vein of form in front of the goal.
Kickoff & Live Telecast
Venue: Dr. D.Y. Patil Stadium
Date and Time: Saturday, 31st October 2015 – 1900 IST
Live Telecast: Star Sports 2 & HD2 (English), Star Sports 3 & HD3 (Hindi)
Live streaming: starsports.com
Team News
Mumbai City FC
Mumbai have no injury worries for the visit of the Champions and Nicolas Anelka will have a wide range of choices including himself, to choose from while picking his starting line-up. But the Frenchman won’t be too keen on disturbing a winning combination which has served Mumbai City FC so well in the last three games.
Frederic Piquionne looked slightly jaded in the last game against NorthEast United and could make way for Nicolas Anelka. But he refused to confirm if he will take to the field from the start. Mumbai City’s back four could remain unchanged having conceded just one goal in their last three games. Juan Aguilera who impressed after coming on as a substitute could return to the Mumbai City FC midfield at the expense of Frantz Bertin.
Mumbai City FC predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Subrata Pal, Ashutosh Mehta, Pavel Cmovs, Darren O’Dea, Lalchhuanmawia Fanai, Juan Aguilera, Christian Bustos, Sunil Chhetri, Gabriel Fernandes, Sony Norde, Nicolas Anelka
Atletico de Kolkata
Atletico de Kolkata assistant Coach Bastab Roy confirmed that Javi Lara and Jewel Raja had recovered from their respective injuries and would be available for selection tomorrow, but several other key players like Josemi, Arata Izumi etc. remain on the sidelines.
Javi Lara is likely to come straight back into Antonio Habas’ line-up in place of Doutie who would drop to the bench. Jewel Raja would also be competing with Baljit Sahni for a place in the starting line-up, but Sahni is expected to keep his place in the line-up. The midfield is expected to remain the same for the visitors while Mohanraj could be vying for a spot in the Champions’ defence.
Atletico de Kolkata predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Amrinder, Rino Anto, Arnab Mondal, Tiri, Augustine Fernandes, Nato, Borja Fernandes, Baljit Sahni, Gavilan, Javi Lara, Iain Hume
Key Facts
Atletico de Kolkata haven’t scored a goal in over 300 hundred minutes of football while Mumbai City FC have scored nine goals in their previous 300 minutes on the pitch.
The degree of Atletico de Kolkata’s task on Sunday is summarised by the fact that they have scored the same number of goals (6) as Sunil Chhetri has managed on his own, while Mumbai City has only leaked three goals while Chhetri has been on the pitch.
Key Battles
Sony Norde vs Rino Anto
Sony Norde has been at the heart of everything that Mumbai City FC have created this season and will be the player to watch out for, for the Champions. Even though it has been Sunil Chhetri who has been scoring all the lovely goals, Sony Norde has provided the Mumbai City FC attack a real cutting edge.
Norde will renew his rivalry with Rino Anto after the duo clashed on the final day of the I-League. Rino Anto made the headlines after attracting a huge bidding fee during the auctions. With his team in dire need of points, Rino Anto will have to earn his bread by stopping Sony Norde and if he is able to do so, Atletico will go a long way in keeping down Mumbai City’s goal tally.
Borja Fernandes vs Sunil Chhetri
Borja Fernandes and Sunil Chhetri are pretty much the heart and soul of their respective teams. With the duo coming against each other when Mumbai City play Atletico later today, it promises to be a one hell of a battle. Physically there is no competition between the two, but Chhetri’s trickery will give Borja some problems. The Spaniard will have to pick up Chhetri while he tries to slip into the pockets behind the midfield.
Assistant Coach Oscar Bruzon spoke about Sunil Chhetri’s work rate after the game against NorthEast United and the Indian International will have to keep that up to prevent Borja from dictating the play. For more reasons than one, this battle could decide the outcome of the game.
Prediction
Mumbai City FC 2-0 Atletico de Kolkata
Atletico de Kolkata’s woes in front of goal are likely to hand them yet another defeat. Mumbai City FC are on top of their game and it will be difficult for Atletico de Kolkata to score past what has been a solid Mumbai City defence. It looks impossible to stop this Mumbai City FC side going forward at the moment and Antonia Habas’ team may come unstuck yet again.
