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Probable Lineups
Chennaiyin FC: Karanjit Singh, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Mailson Alves, Bernard Mendy, Dhanachandra Singh, Manuele Blasi, Raphael Augusto, Thoi Singh, Bruno Pelissari, John Stiven Mendoza, Jeje Lalpekhlua
Mumbai City FC: Subrata Pal, Aitor, Pavel Cmovs, Frantz Bertin, Lalchhuanmawia Fanai, Juan Aguilera, Selim Benachour, Sunil Chhetri, Subhash Singh, Gabriel Fernandes, Sony Norde
Key Battles
Stiven Mendoza v Pavel Cmovs
As always, Mendoza will be Chennaiyin’s leader going forward. The Colombian holds the Golden Boot, having scored ten goals in the tournament thus far. He linked brilliantly with Bruno Pelissari and Jeje Lalpekhlua in Chennaiyin’s last two games – both of which they won convincingly.
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The experienced Czech, Cmovs will be the one tasked with trying to curb Mendoza’s threat. If he does manage to do that, it would help Mumbai no end, in their quest for a first ever away win in the league.
Raphael Augusto v Juan Aguilera
In recent games, Augusto has driven Chennaiyin with his power in midfield. Be it going forward or curbing opposition attacks, Augusto has come up trumps, and with a week’s break after Chennaiyin’s last game, Materazzi will hope that the Brazilian has his battery fully recharged, especially as Chennaiyin will miss the services of Khabra in this game.
Aguilera, on the other hand, has been patchy. He scored Mumbai’s goal in their last game – a 1-1 draw with Kerala Blasters. But in this game, more than going forward, Aguilera will have to be wary of the threat that Augusto poses in dangerous positions, and sort that out for Mumbai.
Prediction
Chennaiyin are the team in form, and hold the edge, having beaten Mumbai convincingly in all their three fixtures from last year. They have scored 10 goals in the 3 games, conceding only one. Nicolas Anelka might have to hope for a miracle, if Mumbai are to get their first ever away win in ISL history.
Score Prediction: Chennaiyin FC 2-0 Mumbai City FC
