Preview: Mumbai City aim to bounce back against East Bengal

The Islanders were awarded the ISL Shield after their win over FC Goa.

Mumbai City FC will square off against East Bengal FC at the Mumbai Football Arena (MFA) for the Islanders’ final league game of the season on Sunday. Des Buckingham’s men will be edging to make a statement after their unbeaten dreams came crushing down following a 2-1 defeat to Bengaluru FC on Thursday.

On the other hand, Stephen Constantine’s men are already out of the playoffs race but they have the opportunity to pile further misery upon Mumbai as the home side enters the business end of the campaign post this encounter.

The Stakes

Mumbai City FC

Mumbai have already secured the League Winners’ Shield but they are arguably losing some steam as per their superlative standards basis their recent results. Jamshedpur FC ran them close and Hyderabad FC contained them for a draw at home. The Islanders overcame the Goan challenge in style with a 5-3 win but Bengaluru highlighted further causes of concerns for the team a couple of days ago.

The Islanders need another one of their exemplary dominating victories against East Bengal to remind their playoff opponents that they aren’t done yet and will be chasing the Indian Super League (ISL) title with equal vigour as well.

East Bengal

Many a time, it is the underdogs who spring a surprise against the overwhelming favourites especially late down the season. East Bengal should be gearing up to do the unthinkable in Mumbai. With a coach as seasoned as Constantine at the helm, it is likely that they would have studied the Islanders’ latest loss comprehensively and devised their own methodologies to at least put up a strong fight at the MFA.

Despite a rather disappointing campaign, a victory against the table-toppers will help East Bengal bow out of the season with their heads held high.

Injury & Team News

Ivan Gonzalez will miss this fixture for East Bengal due to an ankle injury. Alex Lima is also uncertain. A few players in the camp are down with fever too.

Head-to-Head

Mumbai City and East Bengal have locked horns five times prior to this encounter.

Mumbai City – 4

East Bengal – 0

Drawn – 1

Predicted Line-ups

Mumbai City FC (4-2-3-1)

Phurba Lachenpa (GK); Rahul Bheke, Rostyn Griffiths, Mehtab Singh, Mandar Rao Dessai; Apuia, Ahmed Jahouh; Lallianzuala Chhangte, Greg Stewart, Bipin Singh; Jorge Pereyra Diaz.

East Bengal (4-4-2)

Kamaljit Singh (GK); Mohamad Rakip, Sarthak Golui, Charalambos Kyriakou, Jerry Lalrinzuala; VP Suhair, Mobashir Rahman, Jordan O'Doherty, Naorem Mahesh Singh; Jake Jervis, Cleiton Silva.

Player to Watch

Bipin Singh (Mumbai City)

Mumbai City's all-time leading goal-scorer will be hoping to restore his prime touch and form prior to the playoffs. With six goals and two assists this season, Bipin has played well but also been culpable to blowing hot and cold occasionally. The 27-year-old has taken 2.7 shots and made 3.5 crosses on an average per game in ISL 2022-23. He has been a constant menace to the opposition’s backline but will want that to translate into greater efficiency helping Mumbai attain an upper hand early onto the proceedings.

Cleiton Silva (East Bengal)

Cleiton Silva has starred consistently amidst East Bengal’s indifferent run this year. The Brazilian has struck 12 goals in 18 appearances, providing an incredible testament to his supreme skillets. It can be argued that the team has perhaps let him down by not collectively performing to their potential and thus accordingly putting to waste his meaningful contributions throughout the season.

The 36-year-old possesses the quality to put the Mumbai backline to test and it will be interesting to observe the way Des Buckingham tries to shut down his impact on Sunday's game.

Did You Know?

• East Bengal are yet to emerge victorious against Mumbai City.
• East Bengal defeated the Islanders by a whopping margin of 4-3 in the Durand Cup prior to the current ISL season.
• Cleiton Silva leads the goal-scoring charts with 12 goals so far this season. It is a remarkable feat for a player representing the ninth-placed team in the league.

Telecast

The match between Mumbai City and East Bengal will kick-off time at 7:30 pm IST on Sunday. The fixture will be played out at the Mumbai Football Arena. Live telecast will be available on the Star Sports Network. Disney+HotStar and JioTV will also stream the match.