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A beleaguered Mumbai City FC entertain an in-form Delhi Dynamos FC in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) on Friday at the Dr. D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The home side will start the game bottom of the ISL charts after NorthEast United picked up their first win of the season against Chennaiyin FC.
Delhi Dynamos, on the other hand, come into the game on the back of three straight wins, two of which came at places where Mumbai City FC could only manage a point.
Mumbai City FC though could take heart from the fact that they beat Delhi Dynamos 1-0 in the corresponding fixture last season, but to be fair to the Dynamos, a lot has changed for the good for the Roberto Carlos’ men since then.
Venue, Kick-off Timing & Live Telecast
Venue – Dr. D.Y. Patil Stadium
Kick-off Timing – 7 PM IST
Live Telecast – For English Viewers – Star Sports 2& HD2
For Hindi Viewers – Star Sports 3& HD3
Live Streaming – www.starsports.com
Team News
Mumbai City FC
Mumbai City FC will once again miss marquee player Nicolas Anelka on the pitch after the Frenchman aggravated a groin problem suffered during the opening game against FC Pune City, assistant coach Oscar Bruzon confirmed in the pre-match press conference. Young attacking midfielder Brandon Fernandes will also miss out due to an injury.
Oscar Bruzon confirmed that Mumbai City FC will stick with all three Indian National Team players for the game against Delhi Dynamos but revealed that his side would once again chop & change with the midfield combination as they have done in every game in this season’s ISL.
Mumbai City FC might be forced to go with Frederic Piquionne up front to combat the physicality of the Delhi Dynamos’ center backs, but coach Bruzon expressed his dissatisfaction with the direct approach his side took in their previous game against Chennaiyin FC, which could see Sunil Chhetri start, up top.
Delhi Dynamos
Roberto Carlos wouldn’t be too keen to tinker a winning combination, but with the game against Mumbai City FC coming so soon after their win in Kerala, Carlos could be forced to give some of his players some rest.
The center back pairing of John Arne Riise and Anas Edathodika has done well so far this campaign, but the return of Chicao could see John Arne Riise return to his favorite left back position. Richard Gadze could return to the side after his late winner against Kerala Blasters with Robin Singh going out at his expense.
Possible Lineups
Mumbai City FC predicted XI – Subrata Pal, Ashutosh Mehta, Pavel Cmovs, Frantz Bertin, Lalchhuanmawia Fanai, Pratesh Shirodkar, Christian Bustos, Selim Benachour, Gabriel Fernandes, Sony Norde, Sunil Chhetri
Delhi Dynamos predicted XI – Sanjiban Ghosh, Souvik Chakraborty, Anas Edathodiak, Chicao, John Arne Riise, Sehnaj Singh, Francis Fernandes, Hans Mulder, Florent Malouda, Dos Santos, Richard Gadze
Key Facts
Mumbai City FC have the lowest number of shots on target (17) which has reflected in their poor goal tally (1) so far this campaign. Mumbai City FC will like to put that right against a Delhi Dynamos side who themselves aren’t the most prolific team in the ISL having scored just four goals this campaign.
The stats point to a low scoring affair at the Dr. D.Y. Patil Stadium.
Key Battles
Sony Norde vs Souvik Chakraborty
Sony Norde has been Mumbai City FC’s most lethal player so far this season and has given every right back that he has faced a torrid time. Sony Norde will be up against his Mohun Bagan team-mate Souvik Chakraborty, who has been in patchy form of late and it will be interesting to see how he copes with the threat posed by the Haitian.
Souvik though would know everything abaout Sony Norde from their time together in Mohun Bagan and that could just help Souvik in dealing with Sony’s threat. This battle could go a long way in determining the outcome of the game. If Souvik is able to stop Sony Norde, then Delhi Dynamos would have a great chance of winning.
Florent Malouda vs Pratesh Shirodkar
Florent Malouda has been one of the best players in this season’s ISL and has added great quality to the Delhi Dynamos midfield. The Frenchman has made the Delhi Dynamos attack tick and will once again play an important role in that midfield.
Pratesh Shirodkar who had a torrid time against Elano in Mumbai City FC’s last outing will be charged with handling Malouda in the game. Shirodkar has otherwise had a good campaign but will have to pick himself up very quickly if he is to contain the former Chelsea midfielder.
Prediction
This is a huge game for Nicolas Anelka’s Mumbai City FC and they have to win the game. Mumbai City FC will be determined to get started and the home support could prove crucial in them doing so.
Delhi Dynamos had a tough game against Kerala Blasters the other day and the game could come too soon for Roberto Carlos’ men. The Dynamos’ lack of goals could come to haunt them in this game and Mumbai City FC couldn’t have a better opportunity to beat a jaded Delhi Dynamos side.
Mumbai City FC 2-1 Delhi Dynamos
