Atlético de Kolkata can leapfrog NorthEast United at the top of the Indian Super League table if they manage to beat Mumbai City FC at home.
Jose Molina's side went down to 10 men but still managed to eke out a 1-0 win over Delhi Dynamos last time around. After losing central defender Henrique Sereno to a second yellow card, winger Sameehg Doutie won the Indian Rojiblancos a penalty which Iain Hume put away, becoming the ISL's highest goalscorer ever.
ATK are still missing marquee Helder Postiga through injury and his replacement Juan Belencoso has not been good enough to lead an attacking line which on paper, looks like the strongest in the league. Hume could take up a more central position with Spaniard Javi Lara returning to the line-up to provide more creativity up front.
With Sereno and Stephen Pearson suspended, it could be the centre-back pairing of Tiri and Arnab Mondal who start this match.
Alexandre Guimares must be worried after his Mumbai City side have picked up just two points from their last four matches after picking up a maximum six points from their first two matches.
Having earlier drawn 1-1 with the red-and-whites at home on October 11, Guimares is familiar with the opposition but the form and fitness of captain and marquee Diego Forlan could be an issue.
The 56-year old Costa Rican seemed satisfied with Forlan's performance though, "Yes, of course I am satisfied. He has helped us to win the first two games. He missed three games after that. Even in the last game [vs FC Goa], he helped us with his movements, helped us penetrate the opponent defence. He is also fulfilling his role as a marquee player. He is open to teaching the local players. He is a winner and doesn’t like to lose. He was upset about the result against FC Goa. So we hope he does his best to score tomorrow.”
The Western franchise have struggled in front of goal, scoring only six goals in as many matches. Mumbai should persist with the attacking trio of Forlan, Matias Defederico and Sony Norde up front.
Match Facts
Venue: Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, Kolkata
Capacity: 11,800
Time: 7 pm IST
Last meeting: Mumbai City FC 1-1 Atlético de Kolkata, October 11, 2016, at the Andheri Sports Complex, Mumbai
Head-to-head: Matches: 5, Atlético wins: 2, Mumbai wins: 2, Draws: 1
Key Battles
Iain Hume vs Lucian Goian: The 32-year old Canadian striker has 18 goals to his name in the ISL and became the league's highest goalscorer in ATK's last match. His form has been a bit patchy, but his class and work-rate should not be dismissed.
The Romanian has been an ever-present figure for Mumbai in this season's campaign and has started all six of their matches in the centre of defence. Has been the true leader of the backline through an up-and-down campaign.
Sony Norde vs Pritam Kotal: The lively Haitian is surely the away side's biggest danger man on account of his pace and agility. Bagged a brace against the same opponents in last season's corresponding fixture and will start on the left.
Kotal, the Indian international right-back struggled against Florent Malouda and Marcelinho in the last game. Norde will prove to be a handful and Kotal will have to be on his toes all evening long.
Expected line-ups:
Atlético de Kolkata: Debjit Majumder; Tiri, Arnab Mondal, Pritam Kotal, Prabir Das; Borja Fernandez, Ofentse Nato, Javier 'Javi' Lara Grande, Sameehg Doutie, Lalrindika Ralte; Iain Hume
Mumbai City FC: Roberto Volpato Neto; Lucian Goian, Anwar Ali, Aiborlang Khongjee, Ashutosh Mehta; Krisztian Vadocz, Pronay Halder, Sehnaj Singh; Matias Defederico, Sony Norde, Diego Forlan
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!