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Mumbai City FC will look to kick-start their campaign when they take on a resurgent Chennaiyin FC side at Mumbai’s Dr. D.Y. Patil Stadium on Friday, October 16, 2015. But it will be easier said than done for the hosts as visitors Chennaiyin FC will come into this game full of confidence on the back of a morale-boosting 4-0 win in Goa.
Mumbai City FC ,who on the other hand, have managed to pick up just one point from their two trips so far this campaign, head into a series of five home games on the trot and Nicolas Anelka’s men will be hoping to make a winning start to their stint at home.
Chennaiyin FC would like to keep their momentum going as they continue their exploits on the road playing Mumbai City FC in the second of four straight away games.
Kick-off Timing, Venue & Live Telecast
Venue – Dr. D.Y. Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
Kick-off at 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 assistant coach Oscar Bruzon, revealed that his team has some injury worries ahead of their game against Chennaiyin FC, but refused to share who they were exactly. But Mumbai City FC will be happy to welcome back the Indian trio of Sunil Chhetri, Subrata Pal and Lalchhuanmawia Fanai, confirmed the assistant coach. Chhetri and Subrata Pal are expected to go straight into the Mumbai City FC starting line-up, and with uncertainties over the left-back role could see Fanai get a look in as well.
The midfield trio of Bustos, Saran Singh and Pratesh Shirodkar worked well for Mumbai City FC in Kerala, but one of them could make way for Sunil Chhetri for the game against Chennaiyin FC.
Having rested Frederic Piquionne in the last game and only used him as a late sub, the Frenchman could return to spearhead the Mumbai City FC attack once again.
In defense, local boy Ashutosh Mehta could return to the starting line-up ahead of Aitor while the rest of the defense is likely to remain unchanged.
Likely XI – Subrata Pal, Ashutosh Mehta, Pavel Cmovs, Frantz Bertin, Darren O’Dea, Pratesh Shirodkar, Christian Bustos, Sunil Chhetri, Gabriel Fernandes, Sony Norde, Frederic Piquionne
After such a brilliant result in their last game against FC Goa, Marco Materazzi is likely to go with the same line-up against Mumbai City FC with Materazzi having all players fit at his disposal.
The midfield trio of Harmanjyot Singh Khabra, Thoi Singh and Raphael Augusto had a brilliant game against FC Goa and look set to play against Mumbai City FC too. Marco Materazzi revealed that the clean sheet was the most pleasing part of the result in Goa and would like to continue with the same back four that managed to achieve it.
Likely XI – Apoula Edel Bete, Mehrajuddin Waddo, Mailson, Bernard Mendy, Sena Ralte, Thoi Singh, Khabra, Raphael Augusto, Elano, Jayesh Rane, Stiven Mendoza
Key Facts & Stats
Mumbai City FC have had more shots on target (14) than off target (11) but surprisingly have managed to score only one goal in their two matches this season. If Mumbai City FC can continue to get shots on target as they have done so far, it’s not too long before they will be among the goals.
Chennaiyin FC have committed a total of 46 fouls in their three games so far, earning 8 bookings in the process. On the other hand, Mumbai City FC have committed just the 13 fouls in their two matches and only two of their players have been booked this season.
Key Battles
Pratesh Shirodkar vs Elano
Pratesh Shirodkar has been impressive in the Mumbai City FC midfield so far and has done well to earn Nicolas Anelka’s trust. But the Sporting Club de Goa midfielder faces the toughest challenge in the ISL so far when he will be tasked with keeping tabs on Chennaiyin FC’s Brazilian midfielder Elano.
All of Chennaiyin’s attacks go through the Brazilian and keeping him quiet would mean isolating the likes of Mendoza and Jayesh Rane upfront. It is very difficult to deal with the trickery and pace of the duo one on one, hence cutting off their supply line by marking Elano out of the game is extremely necessary for the Mumbaikars. It will be Shirodkar’s greatest challenge as he bids to justify his manager’s trust in him.
Sony Norde vs Mehrajuddin Wadoo
Wadoo had a solid game from a defensive perspective against FC Goa even though the Kashmiri defender couldn’t contribute a great deal in attack. However, Wadoo’s hands will be full when dealing with Sony Norde after the Haitian posed Mumbai City FC’s biggest threat in recent games.
Sony Norde has terrorized full-backs with his pace and trickery and his opponents have dreaded his drop of the shoulder. Wadoo will be up against the dangerous Norde and the 31 one-year-old will need to bring all his experience into play to stop Mumbai City FC’s most deadly weapon.
Prediction
Mumbai City FC 1-1 Chennaiyin FC
Chennaiyin FC will be boosted by the win over FC Goa, while Mumbai City FC will be hoping to convert their good performances into results. With Mumbai City FC playing at home, Chennaiyin FC will find it hard to get all three points as the two fairly evenly matched teams might end up sharing the spoils
