Preview: Mumbai City out to seek revenge against NorthEast United

The Islanders have not faced a single defeat since their loss in the opening game against the Highlanders.

Mumbai City FC will face NorthEast United FC at the GMC Stadium on Saturday in a bid to extend their unbeaten run to 13 games this Indian Super League season. Interestingly, the Islanders haven’t tasted defeat since their loss against the Highlanders in the opening game of the campaign. The metropolis club currently maintains a stable six-point lead over the second-placed ATK Mohun Bagan at the top of the points table.

On the other hand, NorthEast are very much in the run for a playoffs spot. They are separated by fourth-placed Hyderabad FC by merely a solitary point. With that context, let us preview the upcoming match between the two teams.

The Stakes

Mumbai have ensured that they seamlessly dominate their opponents this season. However, a peculiar pattern has emerged in the previous few games. They have bagged merely two goals and succumbed to two draws in the last four matches. Eight points in these many encounters will be considered to be commendable returns for any side.

However, Sergio Lobera lays immense emphasis on his team’s performances and not merely the eventual results of the games. One can argue that the Islanders have been lacking an incisive edge over their adversaries in the recent past. Undoubtedly, Mumbai City will be eager to restore that commanding influence over the game in the next contest with NorthEast United. The mere fact that their only loss of the season came against the Highlanders will perhaps further encourage the team to collect three points from this match.

NorthEast United FC’s sacking of Gerard Nus was particularly appalling considering that the team was within touching distance of the top four. However, the team has bagged two consecutive victories since the Spaniard’s dismissal. They have triumphed over formidable oppositions like Jamshedpur FC and ATK Mohun Bagan in the last couple of games. NorthEast had shown other teams a way to block Mumbai from imposing their philosophy in their face-off in November.

The Highlanders maintained a compact defensive structure, drew multiple fouls from them and hit them on the counter. It required a tenacious effort but the end result was incredibly rewarding. Will the team adopt a similar game plan under Khalid Jamil’s watch? Teams like SC East Bengal and Hyderabad FC have troubled Mumbai in the last couple of weeks and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Highlanders follow a similar approach to extract a positive result from the game.

Team News

Rowllin Borges will miss the match against his former club due to suspension. Otherwise, Lobera has a completely fit squad to work with.

Gurjinder Singh is suspended for NorthEast’s next games whereas the medical team will asses Dylan Fox's injury as he could feature for the Highlanders on Saturday.

Head-to-Head

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUcAdyXUsWo&t=2s

Mumbai City FC have faced NorthEast United FC on 13 occasions previously. The Islanders have won seven games, whereas the Highlanders have emerged victorious in four of these encounters. Only two matches amongst these resulted in a draw.

Probable Lineups

Mumbai City FC: Amrinder (GK), Amey, Fall, Santana, Mandar; Jahouh, Raynier; Jackichand, Boumous, Bipin; Ogbeche.

NorthEast United FC: Chowdhury (GK); Mehta, Shereef, Fox, Lakra; Machado, Camara, Lalengmawia; Suhair, Brown, Gallego.

Man to Watch

Amey Ranawade (Mumbai City FC)

Amey Ranawade has carved a unique impact in the star-studded Mumbai City FC squad. He was particularly stellar against Chennaiyin, defending resolutely, adding an attacking element upfront and even taking a terrific shot at goal. The 22-year-old was not even the first-choice right-back at the start of the campaign and Lobera preferred Mohamad Rakip over him initially.

However, Ranawade has now made 11 appearances and has recorded 3.09 tackles, 1.63 interceptions and crosses along with 1.90 clearances on an average in each game. He was adjudged the ‘ISL Hero of the Match’ vs Chennaiyin and there will perhaps be greater scrutiny to his performances from hereon. The lad looks well-equipped to live up to some promising expectations!

Lalengmawia (NorthEast United FC)

Lalengmawia has attracted several positive responses to his encouraging displays for NorthEast United since the last season. The midfielder carries the ball brilliantly, is adept at passing the ball around from the centre and is a vital cog in the Highlanders’ setup. He is yet to register a goal or an assist this season. However, he has registered 4.53 tackles and 2.30 interceptions per game in ISL 2020-21 and is integral to breaking the opposition’s flow of attacks.

There will be a gaping hole in Mumbai’s midfield in Borges’ absence and Jamil’s men will be eyeing to specifically target that area. Lalengmawia could very well break down Mumbai’s attacks and transition play into attack for his team. In fact, the lad is highly-rated in the opposition camp too. “One who impressed me was from NorthEast United…Lalengmawia. I think he will become one of the best in the future,” Hugo Boumous had said in an Instagram Live interaction with Anant Tyagi back in May 2020.

Did You Know?

• Adam le Fondre has neither scored nor assisted a single goal in his last five appearances.
• Bartholomew Ogbeche is likely to play an important role in the upcoming game for Mumbai. Interestingly, he is also the highest all-time goal-scorer (12) for NorthEast United FC too.
• NorthEast United FC have scored and conceded the same number of goals (17) this season.

Telecast

The match between Mumbai City FC and NorthEast United FC is set to be telecast live on Star Sports 1 SD & HD, Star Sports 2 SD & HD (English), Star Sports Hindi 1 SD & HD, Star Sports 3 and several other regional languages. Live streaming of the match will be available on Hotstar and Jio TV.