MUMBAI CITY FC
V
FC PUNE CITY
D.Y Patil Stadium, Mumbai
13th November, 2015; 19:00 IST
Having lost the away fixture 3-1, Mumbai City FC will be keen to earn three points as they host FC Pune City at the D.Y Patil Stadium. Both teams haven’t done well in their recent fixtures and will be looking to bounce back as ISL enters its crucial stage. It must be remembered that FC Pune City beat Mumbai City FC 3-1 in the reverse fixture earlier in the season and Mumabi would be looking to extract revenge in this match
Team News And Tactical Brief
Mumbai City FC
Sitting on the 6th spot in the table, 3 points below FC Pune City, Mumbai come into the game following a 1-1 draw against Delhi Dynamos FC. With the stakes getting higher, Nicolas Anelka will be keen to avenge their 3-1 loss against Pune in what turned out to be a forgettable opening fixture for the manager cum player. However, Mumbai City FC could be without the services of Sunil Chhetri who reported for national team duty as India clashed against Guam in the World Cup qualifier. In abscence of Sony Norde and Sunil Chhetri, Anelka is expected to lead the attack along with Piquionne and Subash. Selim Benachour is expected to take his place in the midfield with Bustos and Kuttymani deployed in a deeper role. Darren Oa Dea and Pavel Cmovs will be hoping for a strong defensive performance against Pune City FC along with Aitor Fernandez Lopez and Kinshuk Debnath with Subrata Paul taking his place between the posts for the hosts.
Expected Starting Line-up: Paul (GK); Oa Dea, Cmovs, Mawia, Kinshuk; Benachour, Bustos, Kuttymani, Subash, Anelka; Piquionne
FC Pune City
Sitting on the second spot with 14 points from 9 games, FC Pune City will be hoping to pull a double on Mumbai in a bid to maintain their position on the table. Coming at the back of a 2-2 draw against FC Goa, Pune havena t won a single game in their last three fixtures (D-L-D). Manager David Platt will be without the services of Eugenesin Lyngdoh and defender Pritam Kotal who were called up by the national team for the World Cup qualifier. Kalu Uche is expected to lead the teama s attack and will be supported by Shorey and Jackichand down the flanks. Didier Zokora will once again prove to be vital for FC Pune City along with James Bailey. Pune will be hoping for a strong defensive performance in order to hold the likes of Anelka and Piquionne at bay. Gouramangi and Roger Johnson will lead Punea s defence with Gurjinder and Ravanan providing support down the flanks.
Expected Starting Line-up: Simonsen (GK); Gouramangi, Johnson, Gurjinder, Ravanan; Zokora, Rodrigues, Jackichand, Shorey, Mutu; Uche
Prediction
FC Pune City 1-1 Mumbai City FC
Both teams havena t been in the best of forms and hence are likely to cancel each other out during a span of 90 minutes. Mumbai City FC have the edge as they will have the support of the home crowd at the D.Y. Patil Stadium.
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