MCFC vs PUN Match Details
Date: Thursday, 2 November 2023
Time: 20:00 (IST)
Venue: Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai
MCFC vs PUN Match Preview
Even after taking a 75-minute lead as 10-men, Mumbai City will be frustrated of not securing the win against bottom-placed Hyderabad FC in the 1-1 draw. The Islanders lost goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa early on in the game, sent-off for a reckless challenge on Joe Knowles coming out unnecessarily from his goal. While the Nizams did created some chances after that, Mumbai’s dominance was unmatchable. They scored through some fine work by Greg Stewart and then Bipin Singh whose cross was deflected by Manoj Muhammad into his own net. However, the home side conceded deep into stoppage time when Knowles’s cross also took a deflection off Tiri out of reach from substitute keeper Mohammad Nawaz. Despite the dropped points, Mumbai City remain close to the top spot on the table and will hope to reduce the gap with a struggling side visiting them. A victory is important also in the regard that they need a momentum before the crucial tie against Al-Hilal in the AFC Champions League next week.
Punjab FC’s worst fears came true as Chennaiyin FC caught the wind at the right time building their win against Hyderabad FC in the last match to thrash the visitors 5-1. All the hard work the Shers carried from their commendable draws against Jamshedpur FC and NorthEast United were left undone. Losing Melroy Assisi on top it while three goals down also did not helped Staikos Vergetis’s side. Krishananda Singh’s goal at the end understandably did not lifted up the mood. The only side besides last-placed Hyderabad FC yet to register a victory in the ISL, Punjab FC fear a free fall from here as they visit the Shield holders next in the fifth away game of the season. The I-League winners have been on the travel more so their introduction to the top-flight was always going to be tough. After receiving a huge thrashing, it is left to see how Punjab FC react against one of league finest currently struggling with rhythm in their way.
MCFC vs PUN Team News
Mumbai City are without their number one Phurba Lachenpa as he will serve the first of his three-match ban after he received a straight red against Hyderabad FC. Fellow midfielder Van Nieff will serve his second having sent-off against Kerala Blasters early last month. Abdenasser El Khayati also picked up an injury in the match three days ago and is likely to miss out this clash. However, Rostyn Griffiths will return from his one-match suspension to take the place of Tiri in defence.
Punjab FC also have a suspension crisis with their star defender Melroy Assisi missing for the next three cards having dismissed in the heavy loss to Chennaiyin FC. In that case, Nikhil Prabhu will be shifted back to the defence alongside Dimitris Chatziisaias while Amarjit Singh starts in midfield. Krishananda Singh could also be handed a start after scoring the consolation as a substitute in the last match.
MCFC vs PUN Predicted Lineups
MCFC: Mohammad Nawaz; Rahul Bheke, Rostyn Griffiths, Mehtab Singh, Akash Mishra; Vinit Rai, Apuia, Greg Stewart; Lallianzuala Chhangte, Jorge Diaz, Vikram Pratap
PUN: Ravi Kumar; Khaiminthang Lhungdim, Nikhil Prabhu, Dimitris Chatziisaias, Nitesh Darjee; Brandon Vanlalremdika, Amarjit Singh, Juan Mera; Prasanth K, Luka Majcen, Krishananda Singh
MCFC vs PUN Dream11 Prediction
GK: Nawaz (7.5)
DEF: Bheke (8.5), Griffiths (8.5), Lhungdim (8)
MID: Brandon (8), Apuia (7.5), Stewart (9), K Singh (7)
FW: Chhangte (9), Diaz (9), Majcen (9)
Vice-captain: Apuia Ralte or Greg Stewart
Captain: Jorge Diaz
