In a high-voltage affair, Mumbai City FC welcomes ATK Mohun Bagan at Mumbai Football Arena for the first time in ISL with both fighting to get a win that will keep the pressure on table toppers Hyderabad FC.
The Islanders registered a 2-0 victory in a pulsating game against Kerala Blasters whereas ATK Mohun Bagan swept up their fifth straight win over their rivals East Bengal in ISL.
MCFC vs ATKMB Match Details
Date: Sunday, 6 November 2022
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai
MCFC vs ATKMB Match Preview
Mumbai City FC continued their unbeaten streak in the ISL claiming a 2-0 win over Kerala Blasters in Kochi with goals from Mehtab Singh and Jorge Pereyra Diaz, his first for the club in ISL, getting on the scoresheet. Des Buckingham’s side finished their chances in the first period while the Tuskers failed to convert theirs in a nervy second half with the Islanders relying on their number one Phurba Lachenpa to make defining saves. The away game against the Blasters was a tough one irrespective of the home side’s form so the victory gives them much-needed spirit in their quest to win titles again. Currently, Mumbai City are placed fourth on the table with eight points after two wins and two draws. They trail Hyderabad FC at the top by five points and only two points separate them from a non-playoff place on the table. Any kind of slip-off at this stage is not appreciated so the Islanders are in the mood to make their home advantage pay when ATK Mohun Bagan visits them for the first time at Mumbai Football Arena in ISL. In the first bio-bubble season two years back, these two pushed each other for the two trophies possible in an ISL season with Mumbai City coming on top on both occasions in winning the Shield and the league trophy in the final. Des Buckingham’s men then stayed unbeaten against the Kolkata-based club last season smashing them 5-1 in the first encounter and drawing the other. This time playoff places are at stake with a slight glimpse of challenging the holders to gain the top spot. Mumbai City will certainly favour their unbowed record in every meeting against ATKMB so far to collect more points at their home on Sunday.
ATK Mohun Bagan reigned supreme in the Kolkata derby over their arch-rivals East Bengal FC in the ISL again. Manvir Singh and then Hugo Boumous, regaining form, got the strikes in the 2-0 win to put more misery on the Red and Gold Brigade this season in the first ISL derby played at Saltlake Stadium. Their 2-1 loss to Chennaiyin FC at this ground to start off the season is now a fluke as their 5-2 win over Kerala Blasters away will suggest prior to the derby victory. The French playmaker getting on the scoresheet at the right time this season is a major uplift for the side desperate to make a statement in the league this season after disappointing outings in the Durand Cup and the AFC Cup successively. Juan Ferrando’s men will be favourites to do big things this season if they manage to get over Mumbai City FC on their first visit to Mumbai Football Arena. The winning momentum from the last two games will certainly help them as ATKMB are poised to register their first three points over the Islanders in the head-to-head record. Registering six points out of three games, ATK Mohun Bagan found themselves in the last playoff spot with only goal difference separating them from Kerala Blasters in the seventh spot. A win will do them lots of good before facing bottom-placed NorthEast at home, traveling to Goa to face the Gaurs and then taking on Hyderabad FC this month. The defence earning the first clean sheet of the season in the derby win albeit against a misfiring East Bengal team should also inherit lost confidence which seems to be stable with the back four of Asish Rai, Pritam Kotal, Brendan Hamill and Subhasish Bose. Ferrando is favouring Brendan Hamill over Florentin Pogba and the choice is expected to stay if no more defending fuss occurs in the next games. In all, this will be a watchable clash between two in-form sides this season.
Recent form
MCFC: WDWD
ATKMB: WWL
MCFC vs ATKMB Predicted Lineups
MCFC: Phurba Lachenpa; Rahul Bheke, Rostyn Griffiths, Mehtab Singh, Sanjeev Stalin; Apuia, Ahmed Jahouh, Greg Stewart; Lallianzuala Changte, Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Bipin Singh
ATKMB: Vishal Kaith; Asish Rai, Pritam Kotal, Brendan Hamill, Subhasish Bose; Joni Kauko, Deepak Tangri; Manvir Singh, Hugo Boumous, Liston Colaco; Dimitri Petratos
MCFC vs ATKMB Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Lachenpa (7.5)
DEF: Rai (8), Griffiths (8.5), Mehtab (7.5), Bose (8)
MID: Boumous (8.5), Jahouh (8.5), Bipin (9)
FW: Diaz (8), Petratos (9), Stewart (9)
Vice-captain: Greg Stewart
Captain: Dimitri Petratos
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