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Going by last season’s report card, FC Pune City and Mumbai City FC are pretty evenly matched. The two Maharashtra-based teams won their respective home games against each other in the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League, although they would be happy with a point apiece this time out due to the absence of many top Indian players.
Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Jackichand Singh and Bikash Jairu of FC Pune City and Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri and Subrata Pal of Mumbai City FC will be the players missing out in the first match of the ISL for both teams after they were called up by Indian National team coach Stephen Constantine.
Despite all these injuries, Pune and Mumbai will be geared up for this match-up, as a win in the opening encounter could be a morale-booster ahead of a tough season.
Kickoff Time and Live Telecast
Live Telecast: StarSports 1,2 StarSports HD1, HD2
Live Stream: starsports.com
Date and Time: Monday, 5th October 2015 – 1900 IST
Venue: Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, Pune
Team News
Pune have roped in many big names of the game in the likes of Chelsea and Juventus player Adrian Mutu, along with Kalu Uche, Didier Zokora, Roger Johnson, Diego Colotto, Nicky Shorey and Tuncay Sanli, while picking up the most wanted player during the auction and the FPAI Indian Player of the Year Eugeneson Lyngdoh. On the other hand, Mumbai retained some of their best foreign players from last season with Nicolas Anelka resuming his role as marquee player cum manager of the side Pavel Cmovs and last season's hat-trick hero Andre Moritz extending his association with the Mumbai side.
There are injury worries on both sides.
While Mumbai will miss out of Chhetri and Subrata Pal, Darren O'Dea may not start due to injury. Their assistant coach Oscar Bruzon explained the situation: "We've had some issues because of practising on the artificial turf (in Cooperage) and we will assess them tonight. Darren O'Dea is out for the game tomorrow, while Lalrindika Ralte has been ruled out due to injury.”
"Ralte is one of the best players and we will miss him after his injury during the CFL (Calcutta Football League). We retained Dika with a view to having him play and help us this year in attack. Nicolas wanted Dika. Following advice of doctors, he can't collaborate with us in the ISL," he added.
Pune City will also miss out on three of their Indian players Lyngdoh, Jackichand Singh and Bikash Jairu, who have been called up by the national team. Their Marquee player Mutu will also be unavailable for the first fixture.
"Mutu is just recovering so doubtful to start," said head coach David Platt.
Probable line-ups
FC Pune City (4-4-2):
Arindam Bhattacharya, Pritam Kotal, Diego Colotto, Roger Johnson, Dharmaraj Ravanan, Didier Zokora, James Bailey, Lenny Rodrigues, Tuncay Sanli, Manish Maithani, Yendrick Ruiz
Mumbai FC (4-3-3):
Debjit Majumder, Ashutosh Mehta, Franz Bertin, Pavel Cmovs, Keegan Periera, Brandon Fernandes, Juan Aguilera, Andre Moritz, Sony Norde, Subhash Singh, Nicholas Anelka
Key Battles
Didier Zokora v André Moritz
Skipper Didier Zokora will have his task cut out against Mumbai City’s Andre Moritz in this fixture. The Ivorian professional footballer has vast experience on the competitive circuit, competing for his national side over the last 15 years and also playing for some of the best clubs in the world. Zokora can make things happen with his tackling prowess and his speed will stretch the rival defence to the limit.
“I am very happy to be here and I will give my best,” said Zokora, after which he went on to add that the team’s stint in Turkey and their warm-up matches has helped everyone gel together.
On the other hand, Mumbai FC’s star player plays in the hole, off the front man. He scored a hat-trick against the same side in the previous season, and has always showcased a willingness to put his team-mate through on goal or have a shot at it himself throughout the 2014 campaign. His power-packed left foot has taken many players by surprise, something which helps him take decent corners and free-kicks as well.
If Moritz gets enough of the ball, then Pune City’s wide players will enjoy playing with him.
Prediction
With both teams being largely evenly matched and it being the first game of the season, it is likely that both managers will go into the game looking to avoid defeat. It could be a cagey encounter with maybe not a goal in it.
FC Pune City 1-1 Mumbai FC
Betting Odds(bet365)
FC Pune City: 7/2
Mumbai FC: 15/2
Draw – 9/5
