Santosh Kashyap’s Mumbai FC have been amongst the worst teams in the I-League this season. They have the joint worst defensive record with 14 goals leaked in and have the second worst scoring record with six to their name.
On Saturday, they come up against Bengaluru FC in what is a must win tie for the Mumbaikars, who have been winless in their last seven matches. The Yellow Brigade have only managed to pick a mere point from a possible 21.
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The performance of their foreign contingent has been shambolic while their Indian players haven’t made a case for themselves either.
Thoi Singh, who is their star player, has struggled to create scoring opportunities, Farukh Choudhary has been nothing short of a disappointment.
Santosh Kashyap needs his players to up the ante and put in a top performance in order to ensure that the club doesn’t drop any more points. Should the results not go in their favour in the coming games, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the club management opt for a change of guard.
Meanwhile, it’s not often you see Bengaluru FC not having won six games in all competitions. Incidentally their last win in the I-League came against Mumbai FC exactly a month back.
Although they have dominated the proceedings in their last two I-League matches, profligacy of their strikers has come to hurt them big time. They lack and out and out number nine which is evident in their play.
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The good news for Albert Roca is that Juanan is available for selection after serving his two-match suspension. The onus will be on Sunil Chhetri and Chekiyot Vineeth to provide goals.
It must be noted that the JSW-owned club have never managed to win at the Cooperage in their last three outings, a stat they would want to change this weekend.
With both teams desperate for points on the board, expect a tight fisticuff that has ample potential for drama. Kick-off is at 7 PM IST.
PREDICTED LINE UP
MUMBAI FC
Injured: Lalchhawnkima, Steven Dias, Pratesh Shirodkar, Victorino Fernandes
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Key Player: Alex Willian Silva
BENGALURU FC
Injured: John Johnson
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Key Player: Sunil Chhetri