Only on a few occasions have predictions come true in the Indian Super League. Such is the sheer range of unpredictability of the tournament. With games coming thick and fast, it is hard for even in-form sides to go on a continuous run of wins. Mumbai City FC are going strong and are firm favourites to win the derby.
After leading Bengaluru FC to the final of the AFC Cup, Sunil Chhetri and Eugeneson Lyngdoh are poised to make their first appearances of the season. Alexandre Guimares has built a solid spine and right now, even a player of Chhetri’s class and pedigree may have to wait to start in the Mumbai side.
The league has shown that when sides get their backline sorted out, their chances of victory are greater. The first two winners of the ISL, Atletico de Kolkata and Chennaiyin FC are cases in point. Good teams build from keeping clean sheets and Mumbai have been doing that this season.
The Pune outfit has been erratic, only registering one win from their last five games. The goals have been hard to come by and it will be seen if Lyngdoh will be played in the game. Truth be told, Pune need the Indian winger a tad more than Mumbai need Chhetri.
The first Maharashtra derby of the season, which Mumbai won, was a dull affair. There is little hope of this contest being any different, if previous encounters between these sides are anything to go by.
Match Facts
Venue: Andheri Sports Complex, Mumbai
Capacity: 20,000.
Time: 7 pm IST.
Last meeting: October 3rd 2016, FC Pune City 0-1 Mumbai City FC
Head-to-head: Matches played: 5. Pune wins: 2, Mumbai wins: 2, Draws: 1
Key Battles
Lucian Goian vs Dramane Traore
Goain has been one of the standout players in the ISL so far and has changed the look of the Mumbai backline with his solid displays. Traore’s impact has been exactly the opposite for Pune, cutting a cropper in front of goal and missing important chances. An advantage Traore possesses is his height.
Traore will need the services of Lyngdoh and Jonatan Lucca, if he plays, more than ever to win this battle.
Sony Norde vs Gouramangi Singh
A lot depends on where Norde is deployed in the contest. The Haitian is at his very best when he cuts in from the left and runs at defenders. The last couple of games has seen him being played up front and his impact has been minimal. With Matias Defederico growing into the most important player of the Mumbai outfit, it is Norde who has to step up his game or make way.
Gouramangi Singh, after two below-average seasons, is finally getting a good run of games and his intelligence and experience bodes well in battles with strikers. Despite being on the wrong side of 30, the Indian still has decent pace to burn for a centre-back. The problem, though, for the Pune defence is the sheer number of Mumbai attackers who can cause damage.
Squads:
Mumbai City FC: Roberto Volpato Neto, Amrinder Singh, Albino Gomes, Gerson Vieira, Lucian Goian, Facundo Cardozo, Anwar Ali, Aiborlang Khongjee, Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte, Lalchhuanmawia Fanai, Ashutosh Mehta, Krisztian Vadocz, Leo Costa, Jackichand Singh, Saran Singh, Sehnaj Singh, Boithang Haokip, David Lalrinmuana, Matias Defederico, Otacilio Brito Alves, Sony Norde, Diego Forlan, Thiago Cunha, Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh
FC Pune City: Edel Bete, Arindam Bhattacharya, Vishal Kaith, Zodingliana Ralte, Vishal Kaith, Rahul Bheke, Yumnam Raju, Narayan Das, Augustine Fernandes, Dharmaraj Ravanan, Eduardo Ferreira, Gouramangi Singh, Arata Izumi, Jonathan Lucca, Francis Fernandes, Bruno Arias, Josep María Comadevall Crous (Pitu), Lenny Rodrigues, Momar Ndoye, Sanju Pradhan, Anibal Zurdo Rodriguez, Gustavo Oberman, Jesus Rodriguez Tato, Eugeneson Lyngdoh
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