Preview: Mumbai City face Hyderabad FC in must-win game

The Islanders need to win to keep their playoffs hopes alive.

Mumbai City FC will have their task cut out when they take on Hyderabad FC in a do-or-die Hero Indian Super League fixture at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda on Saturday. The last time the two sides met, the contest ended in a 3-1 win for Hyderabad FC.

The Stakes

Mumbai City

Mumbai, placed fifth in the points table with 31 points from 19 matches, will not only have to beat Hyderabad FC but also hope Kerala Blasters FC, in fourth spot and having two points more than them, lose to FC Goa on Sunday. Jamshedpur FC, ATK Mohun Bagan and Hyderabad have sealed their semis berth, leaving Kerala and Mumbai to fight for that one spot left.

Mumbai lost to Kerala in a virtual face-off for that semis spot in their last outing, and now it is not in their hands to make the top-four. "We are very much looking forward to the game against Hyderabad. I know it's not in our hands anymore. We will go out and do our best to put us in a position we want to be at the end of this game. Then we will see what happens the day after," Mumbai head coach Des Buckingham said.

The reigning champions will miss Lallianzuala Chhangte and Rahul Bheke with both out through suspensions. Ahmed Jahouh is still recovering from his injury. 

"This opens up opportunities for other players to fill in. We will go through that in training today," said Buckingham.

The defending champions started off the season well with 5 wins in their first 6 matches. At that point, everyone expected them to be the runaway favourites to retain the league shield and possibly win the tournament. Their only defeat in the first 6 games came against Hyderabad (3-1).

However, their first encounter with the Kerala Blasters derailed their season. They were comprehensively beaten 3-0. Following that defeat, they went an additional 6 matches without a win which saw them drop down from the top of the table.

Hyderabad FC

A much-depleted Hyderabad faced a heavy defeat to Jamshedpur FC in their last game, resulting in them dropping to third place after staying at the top for more than a month. Hyderabad missed Bart Ogbeche and a host of other players in the last game and now will hope to get back to winning ways to keep up with the push for a top spot. Hyderabad have 35 points from 19 matches with leaders Jamshedpur FC and second-placed ATK Mohun Bagan both on 37 points and it is likely that one between these two will finish top of the tree, Jamshedpur also having one game in hand. But Hyderabad will want to do all they can to stay in the hunt.

Team News

Hyderabad FC

Hyderabad FC is struggling with Covid-19 cases in their bio-bubble, up to eight were reportedly affected. This resulted in the unavailability of players during their last clash with Jamshedpur FC. It is unlikely that those missing out will feature in the upcoming match against the Islanders, given the nature of the recovery and quarantine period after returning the negative RTPCR report. One must expect a myriad of changes in the starting lineup as there is a shroud of uncertainty over the availability of players.

Mumbai City FC

Des Buckingham has quite a few absentees for their last match against Hyderabad FC. Veteran midfielders Rowlin Borges and Ahmed Jahouh have recovered but are yet to enter the fray as their involvement is still being reviewed by the Islanders medical team. Meanwhile right back Rahul Bheke and winger Lallianzuala Chhangte are out of the matchday squad as they picked up their fourth yellow cards for the season and have been suspended. The English coach will have a daunting task at hand to field his strongest eleven with such notable absentees as their league position implies a do-or-die situation.

Probable Lineups

Hyderabad FC

Gurmeet Singh (GK), Nikhil Poojary, Chinglensana Singh, Juanan, Akash Mishra, Khassa Camara, Sauvik Chakrabarti, Yasir Mohammad, Joel Chianese, Aniket Jadhav, Javier Siverio.

Mumbai City

Mohammed Nawaz (GK); Amey Ranawade, Mourtada Fall, Mehtab Singh, Vignesh; Lalengmawia, Vinit Rai; Vikram Pratap Singh, Cassinho, Bipin Singh; Igor Angulo.

Did You Know?

• Hyderabad FC has defeated Mumbai City FC only once in the past, and that win came in the reverse fixture this season.

• Anything apart from a win will deny the Islanders a place in the semi-finals.

• Only seven goals have been scored by Indian players from the HFC squad this year till now.

Broadcast

The live telecast of Hyderabad FC vs Mumbai City FC can be viewed on the Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar app from 9:30 onwards.

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