ISL Shield holders Mumbai City face two-time I-League winners Gokulam Kerala in an intriguing Group C clash of the Kalinga Super Cup 2024.
MUM vs GKFC Match Details
Date: Thursday, 11 January 2024
Time: 14:00 (IST)
Venue: Kalinga Pitch 1, Bhubaneshwar
MUM vs GKFC Match Preview
Mumbai City will battle fellow ISL sides Chennaiyin FC and Punjab FC and the I-League side Gokulam Kerala in Group C of the Kalinga Super Cup 2024. The Islanders begin their quest against the Malabarians for the silverware which will give them a place in the AFC Champions League 2 next season. Having played at the top tier of the continental competition, the last Indian side to play directly, Mumbai City will be interested in adding more silverware to their cabinet. Although not leading the ISL table, Petr Kratky’s side can maintain their ISL Shield defence with only four points separating them from the top with a game in hand. Suffered just one loss in the league and coming off a 3-0 win over Chennaiyin FC, Mumbai City believes they have the necessary momentum to win their group and reach the semi-finals of the Super Cup. They will certainly not be packing their bags in the group stages this time with the senior team ready to compete, unlike last time.
Gokulam Kerala’s push for enjoying ISL football will have to wait for one more season at least as it seems with the side 10 points behind I-League leaders Mohammedan SC. The two-time league winners missed the chance last season when the promotion system began in the ISL while ranking sixth this time not showing any encouragement either. While the start was promising for the Malabarians, they quickly fell off going six-game winless after a four-game unbeaten run. However, the huge 4-1 win over Sreenidi Deccan to break the streak in the last I-League game before the Asian Cup break should give them belief for the Super Cup ahead. Despite that, Gokulam will face stiff competition in their group with three ISL sides involved with the possibility of finishing last in the group like last edition if poor form persists. Starting against one of the best sides in the land will be tough but Domingo Oramas’s team will look for a surprise.
MUM vs GKFC Recent Form
NOE: DDLDL
JFC: LWLDL
MUM vs GKFC Team News
Most of the Indian contingent of Mumbai City FC will be with the national team in Qatar for the Asian Cup. It makes the team a little lighter in defence even though they will have the foreign pairing of Rostyn Griffiths and Tiri at the back. Greg Stewart will serve the last of his three-match ban carried forward from the ISL. In contrast, Gokulam Kerala will have a fully fit squad available to them.
MUM vs GKFC Predicted Lineups
Mumbai City FC:
Phurba Lachenpa; Sanjeev Stalin, Rostyn Griffiths, Tiri, Valpuia; El Khayati, Van Nieff, Vinit Rai, Bipin Singh; Gurkirat Singh, Jorge Diaz
Gokulam Kerala:
Avilash Paul; Vikas Saini, Salam Ranjan, Aminou Bouba, Muhammed Saheef; Rishad Pazhaya, Edu Bedia, Komron Tursunov; Basid Bhat, Alex Sanchez, Sreekuttan
MUM vs GKFC Dream11 Team Prediction
Mumbai City FC are favourites to register a win over Gokulam Kerala in the Group C opener of the Kalinga Super Cup 2024.
MUM vs GKFC Dream11 Top picks
Captain Pick: Jorge Diaz
Vice-captain Picks: Edu Bedia, El Khayati
Others: Bipin Singh
Our top pick for the MUM vs GKFC Dream11 team is Jorge Diaz who has scored 6 goals in 11 ISL games for Mumbai City FC.
MUM vs GKFC Dream11 Team Suggestion
GK: Lachenpa (7.5)
DEF: Saini (9), Griffiths (8.5), Tiri (8)
MID: Tursunov (6.5), Bedia (8), Van Nieff (7.5) El Khayati (7)
FW: Bhat (8.5), Diaz (9), Bipin (8)
Captain: Jorge Diaz
Vice-captain: Edu Bedia
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
