Preview: Group leaders Al-Shabab host Mumbai City in penultimate game

The Islanders lost the previous meeting by a 0-3 margin.

Al-Shabab will host Mumbai City FC on matchday five of the AFC Champions League 2022. The Saudi Arabian club comes to the game after a thumping 3-0 win over Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya. Meanwhile, Mumbai City played a stalemate against Al Jazira in the fourth matchday.

Al-Shabab vs Mumbai City FC: The Stakes

The hosts are currently the group leaders, courtesy of wins against the Islanders, Al-Jazira and Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya and a draw against the latter. A point against the Islanders would see the Saudi Arabian club secure a place for themselves in the knockout stages.

[KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

On the other hand, Mumbai City is tied with the other two clubs on four points and would want to get something out of the game against the group leaders. Mumbai's players will have revenge on their minds when they take the field against the Saudi Arabian opponents. As aforementioned, Al-Shabab had a convincing 3-0 win over the Islanders in the first group stage game.

Al-Shabab vs Mumbai City FC: Team News

Mumbai City will be without the services of its two star forwards - Igor Angulo and Diego Mauricio. Angulo is out due to a calf injury, and the Brazilian will miss the game because of a suspension.

Rowlin Borges continues to be out of the team due to a long-term injury. Des Buckingham will have everyone else available for the game.

Al-Shabab has everyone to choose from for the game against Mumbai City FC.

Al-Shabab vs Mumbai City FC: Head to head

The two sides will go against each only for the second time ever. The first time they played each other was the first game of the group stage, where the Saudi Arabians came victorious.

Al-Shabab FC vs Mumbai City FC: Probable Line-ups

Al-Shabab FC: Al-Qarni (GK); Fawaz Al Saqour, Iago Santos, Hassan Tambakti, Motel Al-Harbi; Ever Banega, Alfred N’Diaye, Paulinho; Nawaf Al-Abed, Carlos, Hattan Bahebri.

Mumbai City FC: Lachenpa Phurba (GK); Rahul Bheke, Mourtada Fall, Mehtab Singh, Desai; Ahmed Jahouh, Apuia; Lallianzuala Chhangte, Bradden Inman, Bipin Singh; Vikram Pratap Singh.

Al-Shabab FC vs Mumbai City FC: Players to watch

Carlos Junior (Al-Shabab)

Carlos Junior is the top scorer for the Saudi Arabians in the AFC Champions League so far. The Brazilian forward has four goals in three games. And he will be coming into the game having scored a brace against Iraq's Air Force Club.

The 26-year-old former Santa Clara man would be raring to go against the Islanders as he failed to find the back of the net in the first game. With him on the pitch alongside Ever Banega, scoring goals wouldn't be an issue for the Saudi Arabian side.

Carlos Junior has helped his side score the third-highest number of goals in the Saudi Arabian league. The Brazilian was in the team of the season of the Portuguese first division when still playing for Santa Clara in the 2020-21 season.

Mourtada Fall (Mumbai City FC)

Mourtada Fall has been awfully silent so far in the AFC Champions League. The former FC Goan defender has a knack for scoring headers by combining with the Moroccon teammate Ahmed Jahouh.

But with the Senegalese yet to score in the Champions League, Mumbai's aerial strength has been absent in the offensive half of the Islanders. Mumbai has drawn blanks in three of the four games they have played so far, and they need to find their scoring boots if they're to qualify.

Also, Fall will have to contain the threat of Carlos while trying to get one for his team. A lot will depend on the Senegalese as Mumbai hopes to get something from the game for themselves.

Did You Know?

• Mumbai City FC will become the first team ever to qualify for the knockouts of the AFC Champions League if they manage to achieve the feat.
• Carlos Junior is the top scorer of the tournament so far.
• By keeping a clean sheet against Al-Shabab, Mumbai City FC will equal FC Goa's record of two clean sheets in the group stage.

Telecast

The teams will play at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Star Sports 3 will telecast the AFC Champions League 2022 in India. Live streaming will also be available on the Disney+ Hotstar app & website as well as on JIO TV.

For more football updates, follow Khel Now on Twitter, Instagram and join our community on Telegram.