Preview: Jamshedpur FC face tough ACL battle against Mumbai City

The winner of the clash will gain a spot in the group stages of Asia's premier club football competition.

Jamshedpur FC and Mumbai City FC are set to clash in a one-off qualifier for the 2023-24 AFC Champions League. The Islanders won the ISL League Winners’ Shield in the recently concluded 2022-23 season while the Men of Steel won it during the 2021-22 campaign. To decide which club will represent India in the continental showpiece, a qualifier fixture will take place in Kerala on 4 April 2023.

The winner of the contest will get access to the AFC Champions League Group Stage. Des Buckingham’s Mumbai City FC are hungry to play in the top club competition in Asia once again after making an impact during the 2022-23 edition. If Jamshedpur FC win the playoff fixture, then they will make their continental debut and become only the third club from India to take part in ACL group stages.

Here is a look at what to expect from this mouth-watering fixture:

The Stakes

A place in the AFC Champions League 2023-23 group stages is on offer. The playoff fixture is a battle of champions to decide India’s entrant into the top club competition in Asia that sees top clubs from the continent.

It is a great honour to represent the country. Both clubs won the ISL League Winners’ Shield to get an opportunity to do so. Considering their contrasting forms by the end of the 2022-23 ISL campaign, both Jamshedpur FC and Mumbai City FC will favour their chances of winning the contest and making it into the ACL group stage.

Injury & Team News

Both teams have a fit contingent ahead of the ACL fixture!

Head-to-Head

Jamshedpur FC and Mumbai City have locked horns 12 times till now.

Jamshedpur FC - 5

Mumbai City FC - 4

Drawn - 3

Predicted Line-ups

Jamshedpur FC (4-4-2)

TP Rehenesh (GK); Nikhil Barla, Pratik Chaudhuri, Eli Sabia, Ricky Lallawmawma; Boris Singh, Jay-Emanuel Thomas, Pronay Halder, Ritwik Das; Daniel Chima Chukwu, Harry Sawyer.

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

Phurba Lachenpa(GK); Rahul Bheke, Mourtada Fall, Mehtab Singh, Vignesh Dakshinamurthy; Ahmed Jahouh, Apuia; Lallianzuala Chhangte, Greg Stewart, Bipin Singh; Jorge Pereyra Diaz.

Player to Watch

Daniel Chukwu (Jamshedpur FC)

Jamshedpur FC will rely on Daniel Chima Chukwu to find goals against a strong Mumbai City FC defence. The striker can trouble any defender with his physicality and movement. His hold-up play helps the Men of Steel advance their wingers down the wings.

Chima is also dangerous in aerial duels and can score with his head if left unmarked. The striker scored five goals and two assists in the ISL. He will aim to help the team secure its first-ever ACL spot.

Jorge Pereyra Diaz (Mumbai City FC)

Mumbai City FC have several players who can make a difference. Jorge Pereyra Diaz leads the forward line by example. The striker got 11 goals and six assists from 20 fixtures in the ISL and will be the main threat for Jamshedpur FC's defence in the playoff fixture. Aidy Boothroyd must come up with a strategy to limit the striker’s involvement in the game.

Did You Know?

• Mumbai City FC are the only team to defeat Jamshedpur FC in the latter’s last five matches.
• Daniel Chukwu played under former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
• Greg Stewart is a former Golden Ball winner with Jamshedpur FC.

Telecast

The match between Jamshedpur FC and Mumbai City FC is set to take place on 4 April 2023. Kick-off is set for 8:30 PM IST. Live broadcast and streaming of the fixture will be available on Sony Ten Sports 2 and FanCode app respectively.