Another crunch Top 4 battle takes place in Indian Super League as Mumbai City hosts NorthEast United at the Mumbai Football Arena on Wednesday.
Mumbai City had been on a dream run until a few days ago. They even handed Bengaluru FC their first defeat of the season, as they went on a 9-match unbeaten run of their own.
However, Jorge Costa’s side has lost both their games in February thus far, against FC Goa and Jamshedpur FC. The team conceded goals after the 75th minute in both games, which will definitely be an area of concern for their Portuguese head coach. Currently second on the ISL table, Mumbai City have 27 points and are only 2 points ahead of FC Goa.
NorthEast United too has worries similar to Mumbai City. The Highlanders have won only one game since the end of November and have only seven points from their last seven games.
The defence has only deteriorated, with Komorski's injury now only adding to the woes in the rearguard. They also have a concern with the number of chances they are missing in every game. Their new Greek signing Panagiotis Triadis has been a breath of fresh air, but both Bartholomew Ogbeche and Federico Gallego have looked a little jaded in their last few games.
The Highlanders are 4th on the table, with 24 points and only a point more than Jamshedpur FC just behind them.
Mumbai City vs NorthEast United: Match Information
Date: 13 February 2019
Kickoff: 7:30 PM IST
Live Stream: Star Sports Network and Hotstar
Live commentary: Mumbai City vs NorthEast United Live Score | Commentary and Updates
Venue: Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai
Mumbai City vs NorthEast United: Team News
Mumbai City
Lucian Goian is suspended for Mumbai City after a 4th yellow card. Arnold Issoko to the squad, while left-back Subhasish Bose is still injured.
NorthEast United
NorthEast United will not have the services of Mislav Komorski for the rest of the season, while there are also concerns over the fitness of TP Rehenesh. Pawan Kumar is expected to be back at goal for NorthEast.
Mumbai City vs NorthEast United: Probable Lineups
Mumbai City (4-2-3-1): Amrinder Singh, Sauvik Chakrabarti, Marko Klisura, Anwar Ali, Vignesh D, Bipin Singh, Raynier Fernandes, Milan Singh, Paulo Machado, Rafael Bastos, Modou Sougou
NorthEast United (4-2-3-1): Pawan Kumar, Reagan Singh, Mato Grgic, Gurwinder Singh, Robert Lalthlamuana, Rowllin Borges, Jose Leudo, Panagiotis Triadis, Federico Gallego, Lalthathanga Khawlhring, Bartholomew Ogbeche
Mumbai City vs NorthEast United: Form Guide
Mumbai City: L-L-W-W-D
NorthEast United: D-L-W-L-D
Mumbai City vs NorthEast United: Head-to-Head
Mumbai City: 6
NorthEast United: 2
Draw: 1
Mumbai City vs NorthEast United: Key Players
Mumbai City
Paulo Machado will be a key name in the lineup for Mumbai City. When the other attackers get marked, Machado will have the duty of breaking through the defence. The Portuguese midfielder has 2 goals and 3 assists from 15 games.
NorthEast United
NorthEast United will have to assign the goal scoring duties to more players including Federico Gallego. With Bartholomew Ogbeche already in the book of top goal scorers, better finishing from Gallego and Triadis would be an additional boost to Schattorie.
Mumbai City vs NorthEast United: Predictions
The final phase of ISL has started out with upsets and surprises. This makes every game beyond prediction and the table more exciting. The clash between the two teams is sure to be a close encounter, where the best forwards of the league comes up against each other.
Predicted Score: Mumbai City 1-1 NorthEast United