Chennaiyin FC hopes to build on their win against East Bengal but faces a severe test in unbeaten Mumbai City FC wanting to use this opportunity to close down more gaps from the top spot.
The Marina Machans registered their second win at Saltlake Stadium and of their season to halt a two-game winless streak in between whereas Mumbai City dropped points in the second consecutive home game with an exciting 2-2 draw against ATK Mohun Bagan.
CFC vs MCFC Match Details
Date: Saturday, 12 November 2022
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai
CFC vs MCFC Match Preview
Chennaiyin FC knew they could not have a slow start to their game as the previous matches in the league this season will suggest, hence, had a more attacking touch to their 1-0 win against the scampering East Bengal team unable to shake off the perch the away side had throughout the ninety minutes. The Marina Machans had more possession of the ball in the other games too but provided more with it this time around and the opponent being toothless in attack meant they acquire the freedom to put more pressure on the pitch. Ultimately, East Bengal’s so-far impenetrable defense gave way as Vafa Hakhamaneshi hit a strong header back into the net in the 69th minute from a corner swing in by left-back Aakash Sangwan who replaced Narayan Das in the first half for possible injury concern. The Iranian, though, was shown a second yellow for displaying a message of solidarity back to his homeland. Yet the opposition did not get the chance to make a comeback with a man advantage as Sarthak Golui also received his second booking for Red and Gold only five minutes after the eventual winner. The victory will help them to gain momentum to string some good results together as they look to get into the top four of the ISL. However, Chennaiyin FC have quite a frightening fixture list ahead with undefeated Mumbai City FC visiting them next then Shield winners Jamshedpur FC and league title holders Hyderabad FC to face at home with the only away trip this month to Odisha FC. Even though three of the games are at home, the former ISL winners have picked up only a point in the two games at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium this season.
In contrast, Mumbai City FC have taken four points from two away matches this season with Des Buckingham’s men collecting a 2-0 win at Kochi against Kerala Blasters in the last league game on travel. In the previous league encounter though, Mumbai City FC twice lost the lead to ATK Mohun Bagan in the 2-2 draw with substitute Carl Mchugh’s late leveler denying them three points in a match that had 10 shots on target between the pair and the woodwork struck a combined five times. The Islanders had three shots cannon off the post taking more shots in total and on target than their opposition but nothing could have separated them on the evening. Drawing for the third time this season kept Mumbai City FC only three points better off the non-playoff spot and seven points adrift of Hyderabad FC at the top. Although like Nizams, the Islanders remain unbeaten in the league so far. This is the most positive thing Des Buckingham will relate to his boys to keep the run going as they are set to face the next three sides placed below them in the ISL table. Starting with Chennaiyin FC, Mumbai City FC got the chance to face them in the Durand Cup prior to this season and showed their goal-scoring brilliance in the 5-3 victory after extra time although the coach has been cautious not to look more on that victory. But one cannot deny the Islander’s comfortable record in this fixture losing only twice since 2016 including victories in the last two league games and staying unbeaten at this ground in the previous two visits.
Recent Form
CFC: WLDW
MCFC: DWDWD
CFC vs MCFC Predicted Lineups
CFC: Debjit Majumder; Ajith Kumar, Fallou Diagne, Narayan Das, Aakash Sangwan; Jiteshwor Singh, Julius Düker; Prasanth Karuthadathkuni, Anirudh Thapa, Rahim Ali, Petar Slišković.
MCFC: Phurba Lachenpa; Rahul Bheke, Rostyn Griffiths, Mehtab Singh, Sanjeev Stalin; Lalengmawia Ralte, Ahmed Jahouh, Alberto Noguera; Lallianzuala Chhangte, Bipin Singh, Greg Stewart.
CFC vs MCFC Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Lachenpa (7.5)
DEF: Bheke (8), Diagne (8.5), Griffiths (8.5), Kumar (8)
MID: Chhangte (8), Jahouh (8.5), Thapa (9), Bipin (9)
FW: Stewart (9), Sliskovic (8)
Vice-captain: Lallianzuala Chhangte
Captain: Greg Stewart
