In a replay of the ISL Shield and Cup final last season, Mohun Bagan welcomes Mumbai City FC in the thrilling curtain raiser of the ISL 2024-25 season at Salt Lake.
MBG vs MUM Match Details
Date: Friday, 13 August 2024
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
MBG vs MUM Match Preview
Five months ago, Mohun Bagan Super Giant created history by winning their first ISL Winners’ Shield and a record-extending sixth top-flight title in Indian football beating holders Mumbai City FC at Salt Lake in the final league game of the season. While the team could not follow up with a double over the Islanders in the ISL Cup final at the same venue, the Mariners will be pleased with their performance after turning their season around under hero coach Antonio Lopez Habas. The rivalry between the sides took a different parameter last season with record attendance prompting the fixture to be drawn up as the curtain-raiser for the 2024-25 season and at the Salt Lake too. Mohun Bagan has the chance to show a statement against the same opponents to defend the Shield but their pre-season has not gone to plan. Under new coach Jose Molina, the side reached the final of the Durand Cup once again but could not retain the trophy even after two goals up at half-time against NorthEast United and losing on penalties.
Defensive vulnerabilities have popped up giving a lot of headache for the Green and Maroons ahead of facing Mumbai City FC who want to remind them of their last meeting in Kolkata. After losing the ISL Shield defence despite being in an advantageous position in front of an electrifying home crowd, Petr Kratky’s side made sure that they managed to silence the audience in their second attempt to end the season with a silverware and will want to revisit the evening on Friday. Like the host who has pulled out the incredible transfer of A-League’s all-time top scorer Jamie Maclaren and former Islanders Greg Stewart and Apuia, Mumbai City has also poached FC Goa’s marksman and national team player Brandon Fernandes with other renewed ISL stars. Although key performers like Jorge Diaz, Alberto Noguera and Rahul Bheke left for new pastures, the ISL Cup winners remain a firm title contender and starting the season with three points will be their aim as they make the trip to Kolkata.
Recent Form (all competitions)
MBG: DDWWL
MUM: LLLWW
Recent Form (ISL)
MBG: LWLWW
MUM: LWWLW
MBG vs MUM Team News
Mohun Bagan is expected to give debuts to their new signings except for the injured Alvaro Rodriguez. The centre-back could be replaced by Dippendu Biswas if fit or Asish Rai in a three-back system if head coach Jose Molina decides to stick with it. The unexpected Anwar Ali saga has also deprived the team of buying a replacement in time. Marquee signing Jamie Maclaren missed the entire Durand Cup with an injury but he might be in contention to be offered some minutes in the league opener. On the other hand, the visitors have a full-strength squad with no injury problems.
MBG vs MUM Predicted Lineups
Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Vishal Kaith; Dippendu Biswas, Tom Aldred, Subhasish Bose; Manvir Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Apuia, Liston Colaco; Greg Stewart; Jason Cummings, Dimitri Petratos
Mumbai City FC
Phurba Lachenpa; Valpuia, Mehtab Singh, Tiri, Akash Mishra; Jeremy Manzorro, Van Nieff, Brandon Fernandes; Lallianzuala Chhangte, Nikos Karelis, Bipin Singh
MBG vs MUM Head-to-head (ISL)
Played - 10
MBG won - 1
Drawn - 2
MUM won - 7
MBG vs MUM Head-to-head (In Saltlake)
Played - 5
MBG won - 2
Drawn - 1
MUM won - 2
MBG vs MUM Dream11 Match Prediction
Shield winners Mohun Bagan’s defensive problems with the absence of key personnel could haunt the team despite having their 12th man at home. Cup holders Mumbai City will exploit the factor to claim back-to-back wins at Salt Lake. We predict a thrilling 2-1 win for the Islanders.
MBG vs MUM Dream11 Team Top picks
Captain Picks: Lallianzuala Chhangte or Dimitri Petratos
Vice-captain Picks: Lallianzuala Chhangte or Dimitri Petratos, Jason Cummmings, Brandon Fernandes, Bipin Singh
MBG vs MUM Dream11 Team Suggestion
GK: Lachenpa (Cr - 8)
DEF: Mishra (Cr - 7.5) Tiri (Cr - 8.5), Bose (Cr - 8)
MID: Chhangte (Cr - 9), Brandon (Cr - 8.5), Stewart (Cr - 9), Colaco (Cr - 9)
FW: Bipin (Cr - 8.5), Cummings (Cr - 9), Petratos (Cr - 9),
Vice-captain: Dimitri Petratos
Captain: Lallianzuala Chhangte
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
