Energized with their emphatic win against Chennaiyin FC, Mumbai City takes on a crumbling Bengaluru FC team to narrow the gap further on table toppers Hyderabad FC.
The match in Chennai descended into a goal shower when the Islanders won 6-2 against the home side a day after the Blues suffered a shock loss to lowly East Bengal at Kanteerava.
MCFC vs BFC Match Details
Date: Thursday, 17 November 2022
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai
MCFC vs BFC Match Preview
Blink and you will miss it! it was that type of chaotic affair between Chennaiyin FC and Mumbai City FC last weekend. The Islanders suffered an early blow or rather blows when the home side went 2-0 up by the 32nd minute although Jorge Pereyra Diaz half the deficit right after before Greg Stewart converted his spot-kick to make it all square before half-time. From the next period, there was no turning back from Mumbai City FC with Vinit Rai, Vignesh, Alberto Noguera and Bipin Singh getting on the scoresheet to claim the biggest win ever in ISL in terms of goals scored in a single match. Bipin also produced two assists in the game in a star-of-the-match performance from the left winger. Des Buckingham’s side showed a fiery nature in their 2-2 draw against ATK Mohun Bagan and could have won that game as well if they converted the chances they created other than the goals. While leaking goals remained an issue in both games, the attack bloomed in the latest one with a professional attitude till the very last minute of the game will please the manager. A victory in this manner is hugely encouraging considering Mumbai City FC find it hard to build a winning rhythm despite staying unbeaten this season. Now, the Islanders will wish to build a winning momentum at home having drawn their previous two at Mumbai Football Arena. The occasion could just be right with the next game’s opponent Bengaluru FC struggling to get a win for themselves. Against the Blues, they have gathered only one win in four but have beaten them in the last two meetings at this ground. Three more points will take Des Buckingham’s side within just a point of Hyderabad FC at the top with the Nizams not playing until Saturday against Kerala Blasters.
While Mumbai City FC enjoyed a jaw-dropping performance at Chennai, Bengaluru FC made a disappointing return to their home unable to stop their losing streak against East Bengal who had only won once this season before this. Cleiton Silva came back to haunt his old club as he netted the sole goal of the match in the 69th minute to make it three consecutive defeats for the Blues in the league with the same scoreline. The worry for BFC was the same, not creating clear-cut chances and missing a killer instinct to turn games in their favor. Simon Grayson’s men had more possession, took more shots albeit not on target enough and won more duels yet the result was not forthcoming. Bengaluru FC had to find ways to get their forward in the goal mix again which helped them win the Durand Cup prior to the season. Sivasakhti and Roy Krishna both had injury concerns with the former now ready to be ingrained from the start. Prince Ibarra’s absence due to injury and Javi Hernandez’s lack of creative touch is not helping at all. The Blues have slid to the ninth place allowing East Bengal to move above them from the spot they used to hold and haven’t scored a goal in the last three. Bengaluru FC also have a daunting schedule to make things right facing Mumbai City next then two of the top four sides to battle, against FC Goa and ATK Mohun Bagan respectively. They have not won away from home either collecting only one point which came in last month. With so many flaws to sort out, Simon Grayson could only wish the scoring fleet of Mumbai City don’t turn up on Wednesday.
Recent Form
MCFC: WDWDW
BFC: LLLDW
MCFC vs BFC Predicted Lineups
MCFC: Phurba Lachenpa; Rahul Bheke, Rostyn Griffiths, Mehtab Singh, Mandar Rao Dessai; Lalengmawia Ralte, Ahmed Jahouh; Lallianzuala Chhangte, Greg Stewart, Bipin Singh; Jorge Pereyra Diaz
BFC: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK); Namgyal Bhutia, Sandesh Jhingan, Aleksandar Jovanovic, Naorem Roshan Singh; Bruno Ramires, Jayesh Rane; Sivasakthi Narayanan, Sunil Chhetri, Javi Hernandez; Roy Krishna
MCFC vs BFC Dream11 Prediction
GK: Lachenpa (7.5)
DEF: Roshan (8.5), Griffiths (8.5), Costa (9), Singh (7.5)
MID: Chhangte (8), Sivasakhti (7.5), Jahouh (8.5), Bipin (9)
FW: Krishna (9), Stewart (9)
Vice-captain: Bipin Singh
Captain: Greg Stewart
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