Preview: Mumbai City & Hyderabad FC meet in top of the table clash

The previous meeting ended in a 3-3 draw.

Mumbai City FC will square off against their arch-nemesis Hyderabad FC at the Mumbai Football Arena (MFA) on Saturday. The teams, placed at the top two spots in the standings, have been in an incredible run of form this season – thus guaranteeing a marquee clash on February 4.

The Nizams trail Mumbai City by seven points currently, but also have a game in hand having played only 15 league matches in comparison to Mumbai’s 16. Saturday offers them an opportunity to close in on the Islanders’ tally and thus possibly trigger a mini-collapse that could propel them to the top spot by the end of the 20 games.

On that note, let us take a look at the detailed preview of the upcoming encounter.

The Stakes

Mumbai City FC

The equation is pretty straightforward for Mumbai here. Hyderabad are the only team that can potentially threaten to take over their coveted top place in the points table. A victory here will more or less seal the League Winners’ Shield for Des Buckingham’s men. The home side have been thoroughly indomitable so far, barely conceding an inch to any opposition.

However, they looked rather shaky for a large part of the previous game against Jamshedpur FC. If they let Hyderabad exploit that yet again, it can open a pathway that the other sides will look to exploit towards the fag end of the campaign and in the playoffs. It’s very easy to plummet down a spiral, particularly in critical moments like at the end of a league season. Mumbai should ensure that they do not embark on that road anytime soon.

Hyderabad FC

In terms of quality, Hyderabad are the team that can claim to be the best equipped to give Mumbai a run for their money this year. Manolo Marquez’s side have been unbeaten for over two months now, having won six of their last seven encounters.

In all fairness, they should look to optimize this incredible opportunity to hand Mumbai their first defeat of the campaign and make a statement going into their final five matches of the league. The coveted AFC Champions League spot eluded Hyderabad last season. It is an uphill task to secure that this time around as well.

Injury & Team News

Mumbai City will miss Amey Ranawade as he is out for the season. Apart from that, they have a fit squad as of now. Hyderabad FC will miss Joao Victor and Chinglensana Singh for this fixture as well.

Head-to-Head

Mumbai City FC and Hyderabad FC have locked horns seven times till now.

Mumbai City FC – 2

Hyderabad FC – 2

Draws – 3

Predicted Line-ups

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

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

Hyderabad FC (4-2-3-1)

Gurmeet Singh Chahal (GK); Nikhil Poojary, Nim Dorjee, Odei Onaindia, Akash Mishra; Hitesh Sharma, Borja Herrera; Mohammad Yasir, Joel Chianese, Rohit Danu; Bartholomew Ogbeche.

Player To Watch

Lalengmawia Ralte (Mumbai City FC)

Lalengmawia Ralte has been instrumental in ensuring that Mumbai maintain a stronghold over the proceedings at the centre of midfield this year. Apuia has been monumental, asserting total dominance and control in the midfield along with Ahmed Jahouh. He has shielded the backline to perfection.

Simultaneously, he has also often ventured ahead to break the opposition’s lines and make penetrative passes that have enabled Mumbai’s forwards to steer ahead with precision and purpose. Apuia has already scored thrice in 13 appearances and recorded four tackles on average per game. Hyderabad have a tenacious and creative midfield and Apuia will hold the key to neutralize their threat for the Islanders.

Bartholomew Ogbeche (Hyderabad FC)

The Nigerian has been in fine form recently. He has netted seven goals till now, out of which four have come in the last three games, which includes a hat-trick too! Up against his former employers, Bartholomew Ogbeche will try to notch some trickery and help his side walk away with a victory. Any inch of space in the final third can be of utilised by the 38-year-old, for whom, age is just a number. Mumbai defenders! Keep an eye on Big Bart else suffer!

Did You Know?

• Hyderabad FC have conceded the least number of goals (9) in the ISL this season.
• Ahmed Jahouh has recorded the most successful tackles (39) in ISL 2022-23.
• Bartholomew Ogbeche has won the last two ISL titles – in 2020-21 with Mumbai City FC and with Hyderabad FC in 2021-22.

Telecast

The live telecast of Mumbai City FC vs Hyderabad FC will be available on the Star Sports Network. The live stream of the fixture can be viewed on Disney+HotStar and JioTV. Kick-off is at 5:30 PM on Saturday at the Mumbai Football Arena.