ATK Mohun Bagan and Hyderabad FC are desperate to get back on track when they face each other at the Saltlake Stadium.
ATKMB lost 3-0 to FC Goa in their trip to Fatorda while the unbeaten streak for the Nizams this season came to an end with a 1-0 loss to Kerala Blasters.
ATKMB vs HFC Match Details
Date: Saturday, 26 September 2022
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata
ATKMB vs HFC Match Preview
ATK Mohun Bagan looked unconvincing in their last home game needing a 90th-minute winner against last-placed NorthEast United and now their four-match unbeaten streak is broken. A rousing performance from FC Goa saw them lose 3-0 in the away game. It was the first time the Green and Maroons failed to register a shot on target this season. No big chances were created either. That proved costly for the side wanting to keep the pressure on the top two of the table. Furthermore, Juan Ferrando’s men lost Joni Kauko through an injury and will not be having his service soon. Now, the Kolkata giants are only left with Hugo Boumous as their only spark in midfield. Also, the only clean sheet for the team came in the 2-0 win against East Bengal in the Kolkata derby last month. In a tight fight for the playoffs, losing points hurts more as a team once looking to be among the top three is now one point away from dropping out of the places. They and seventh-placed Chennaiyin FC are locked with the same number of points separated only by goal difference. ATKMB have struggled against big sides this season, a concerning fact ahead of facing the champions Hyderabad FC this weekend. Even though they have a favorable record against the Nizams losing only once to them, Juan Ferrando’s men have to be careful of the prowess shown by the holders this season. ATK Mohun Bagan have an easier schedule after this so anything other than a defeat will be beneficial.
A seven-game unbeaten streak including six straight wins ceased for Hyderabad FC in the 1-0 loss to last season’s finalist Kerala Blasters. The Tuskers adopted the way that Manolo Marquez’s side picked up wins this season to strike against them for revenge. Diamantakos scored the only goal of the game in the 18th minute for the decider as Nizams could not find a way to unlock the opposition’s defense. Hyderabad FC dominated the ball but only attempted one shot on target out of 16. Five were blocked and 12 came from inside the area yet there was no breakthrough to draw level at least. The defeat was unwanted because it broke a definitive momentum the team was carrying side by side giving Mumbai City FC a chance to overtake them on top of the chart. The Nizams will find themselves second by the time they face ATK Mohun Bagan on Saturday as the Islanders are expected to pick full points against NorthEast United. Manolo Marquez’s side will like to bounce back straight away when they travel to the Saltlake Stadium carrying an unbeaten away form. Hyderabad FC have to find more efficiency in front of the goal as their 10 goals scored is less than the current top seven holders. They want to put everything right on Saturday.
Recent Form
ATKMB: LWDWW
HFC: LWWWW
ATKMB vs HFC Team News
Star midfielder Joni Kauko has been sidelined with a serious knee injury set to keep him out for a lengthy spell, causing a huge blow to ATK Mohun Bagan. The Finish international was a regular member of the starting eleven and has scored two goals in six matches this season. He was brought off the field just around the hour mark to be replaced by Carl McHugh who could now partner Deepak Tangri from the start.
Hyderabad FC confirmed goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani is ruled out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury he suffered against Jamshedpur FC earlier this month. The custodian was a key member to Nizam’s title win last season and was the hero in the penalty shootout of the final. He will be a big miss for the holders. That means Anuj Kumar remains the first choice.
ATKMB vs HFC Predicted Lineups
ATKMB: Vishal Kaith; Asish Rai, Pritam Kotal, Brendan Hamill, Subhasish Bose; Carl McHugh, Deepak Tangri; Manvir Singh, Hugo Boumous, Liston Colaco; Dimitri Petratos
HFC: Anuj Kumar; Nikhil Poojary, Odei Onaindia, Chinglensana Singh, Akash Mishra; Sahil Tavora, Joao Victor; Mohammad Yasir, Javier Saveiro, Halicharan Narzary; Bartholomew Ogbeche
ATKMB vs HFC Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Kaith (8)
DEF: Asish (8), Sana (8.5), Onaindia (8.5), Akash Mishra (8)
MID: Yasir (7.5), Boumous (8.5), Narzary (9)
FW: Colaco (8), Ogbeche (9), Petratos (9)
Vice-captain: Mohammed Yasir
Captain: Dimitri Petratos
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
