A High flying Mumbai City FC will host a confident Hyderabad FC at GMC Bambolim Stadium in Goa as matchday 60 is just a few hours away.
Blast from the past :
The Islanders’ trip to the Tilak Maidan saw them coming out on top against Manuel Marquez’s men in a 2-0 victory.
Mumbai City FC:
The table toppers are in fine form and come into tonight’s game with a 1-0 victory against ATK MohunBagan and are high on confidence. Ever since their defeat to Northeast United, the islanders have not looked back and are undefeated in their last 9 outings. They have won 8 games and have settled for a draw just once this season. Sergio Lobera’s Men have scored 7 times in the first half and went on to win all of those matches. The Metropolis club saw they take a 5 point lead in the first half of the season and a win against Marquez’s men will see them extend their advantage to 8 points.
“I think I am sure that this will be a very difficult game. They are playing in a similar style of play like us. They have a very good team, with very young players and very good Indian players; also very good foreign players. I think it’s going to be a different game than that we played against them.” said Sergio Lobera at the Pre-match press conference.
Hyderabad FC:
The Nizams too are high on confidence as they pulled off a great 4-2 victory against the Highlanders in their last outing. Just like the Islanders, scoring is not the problem for Manuel Marquez’s men as they found the back of net 8 times in the last 2 matches. But, problems lie at the back for Hyderabad and they need to be more compact in order to deny the Islanders a goal. They will need to capitalise on every chance that they create because Mumbai City FC don’t give away many chances. The Nizams will have a fully fit squad and even their new signing Ronald Alberg will be available for selection.
“Mumbai is the strongest team in the league. Even if they change their lineup, they are still strong. There have a lot of very good players and a very very good coach. I continue to say that they’ll top the league in the regular season,” Marquez said ahead of the game.
Players to watch out for:
Hugo Boumous (Mumbai City FC)
Hugo Boumous has lived upto the expectations and has left no stones unturned for his side after his big money move to Mumbai City FC. The French-Moroccan attacker has the most number of assists this season (5) and will have a crucial role to play in tonight’s encounter.
Joel Chianese (Hyderabad FC)
The Aussie attacker has been really clinical in front of the goals as he has found the back in two consecutive matches since returning from injury. His versatility is an added advantage for the Hyderabad based club.
Probable Starting XI :
Mumbai City FC: Amrinder (GK), Ranawade, Fall, Santana, Mandar, Jahouh, Borges; Vikram Boumous, Bipin, Le fondre.
Hyderabad FC: Subrata (GK) Rai, Chinglensana, OnaIndia, Mishra, Sastre, Victor, Yasir, Narzary,Chianese, Aridane.
