MCFC vs HLL Match Details
Date: Monday, 6 November 2023
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai
MCFC vs HLL Match Preview
The highly anticipated clash between Mumbai City and Al Hilal in India is finally here but the hype will not be the same as before. First of all, Brazilian superstar Neymar will not be on the plane to visit the country as an ACL injury rules him out for the entirety of the season. The former Barcelona and PSG player was the main attraction of the tie and without him, ticket sales are obviously affected. The venue chosen for the match the DY Patil Stadium will not have the expected attendance as initially thought. Even though, there is the chance to watch several ex-Premier League stars on home soil. Secondly, Mumbai City’s performance has been bleak with no wins in the first three group stage games and also without a goal scored, conceding 11 at the same time. Although they created some encouraging moments in all of the games, the Islanders have not found the results they wanted. The 6-0 hammering in the reverse fixture at Saudi Arabia, despite holding Al Hilal to just a goal until the 67th minute, became a new low for the side. Mumbai City have a huge task now to avoid the same embarrassment against last season’s AFC Champions League finalists in front of their home support or there will be nothing to play for in the competition.
That victory came via a splendid hat-trick scored by Aleksandar Mitrović who could have added more to his tally. Sergej Milinković-Savić, Mohammed Alburayk and substitute Abdulelah Almalki were the other scorers. One thing in an otherwise fine victory Jorge Jesus will want from his side to not wait for a late storm but kill the game early as they did concede chances to Mumbai City to climb back into the game. Nevertheless, Al-Hilal domination is expected in the away fixture with no problems in scoring goals even without Neymar. The Saudi Pro League giants are on a nine-game winning streak and have not lost in the league season. Topping their AFC Champions League group as well but only on goal difference, they will want to take a step towards knockout qualification with a victory in Mumbai. They have secured nine victories in the last 11 games in the contest so the job does not look to be a difficult one. Mumbai City have lost all of the meetings against clubs from Saudi Arabia with their only loss at home so far this season coming against Iranian side Nassaji in this competition. Either way, the record speaks less volumes of causing an upset on Monday.
MCFC vs HLL Predicted Lineups
MCFC: Phurba Lachenpa; Rahul Bheke, Mehtab Singh, Tiri, Akash Mishra; Van Nieff, Rostyn Griffiths, Apuia; Lallianzuala Chhangte, Greg Stewart, Vikram Pratap
HLL: Mohammed Owais; Saud Abdulhamid, Kalidou Koulibaly, Ali Albulayhi, Mohammed Alburayk; Mohamed Kanno, Rúben Neves; Malcom, Milinković-Savić, Al-Dawsari; Aleksandar Mitrović
MCFC vs HLL Dream11 Prediction
GK: Lachenpa (7.5)
DEF: Bheke (8.5), Abdulhamid (8.5), Al-Burayk (7)
MID: Dawsari (9), Apuia (8), Milinković-Savić (9), Stewart (9)
FW: Malcom (9), Mitrović (9), Chhangte (9)
Vice-captain: Milinković-Savić
Captain: Aleksandar Mitrović
