Mumbai City are set to take on newcomers SC East Bengal in the clash today
The Islanders will take on the debutants SC East Bengal in their third match of the tournament, where Mumbai City FC will retain the service of Ahmed Jahouh in the central midfield after a one-match suspension. Mumbai City FC is considered as the favorites to win the match as they have a victory in the bag in their previous match against FC Goa. Their star striker Adam Le Fondre got back his scoring boots as he netted a lone goal in the last match from the spot-kick. The star-studded Mumbai squad is still yet to show his magic under the new coach Sergio Lobera.
The league debutants SC East Bengal suffered their first loss of the tournament in the last match against their arch-rivals ATK Mohun Bagan FC, they were out for a competitive match within three weeks of training. Robbie Fowler and his boys started well in the last match but the fitness and the lack of attacking options were the main obstacles for them to grasp all points.
Top 3 Indian players and 3 foreigners to watch out for from Mumbai City FC
Three Indian players to look out for are Sarthak Golui, Rowllin Borges and Farukh Chowdhury. Sarthak Golui had been a regular starter for the Islanders, he played alongside Herran Santana and Mourtada Fall. He helped his team to keep a clean sheet against a very good attacking side FC Goa. He will be a player to watch out for in the heart of the defence. Rowllin Borges was the consistent performer in the heart of Mumbai’s midfield, he helps in the defense as well as in the attack. Farukh Chowdhury is another player to look out for, who had been pulling off an eye-catching performance in front of the coach in the role that he has been assigned with.
The three foreigners to look out for are Mourtada Fall, CY Goddard and Hugo Boumous. Mourtada Fall had a fantastic season with the Gaurs last season, he started this season where he left off now pairing with Sarthak Golui. He was not available in the first match of the tournament but came back in the second match where the Mumbai’s defense looked solid tight. CY Goddard did not make through Sergio’s notebook in the first match, but proved worthy of his position in the second match, controlling the right-wing; chipping in crosses for Le Fondre to testing the goalkeeper from a long-range. He was the standout player in the last match against the Gaurs. Hugo Boumous, the MVP of last season, had not been that impressive as he used to be in the Goa’s jersey, but he will be eyeing for this match to get his lost magical form back this time in Mumbai’s jersey. He has the capability to turn around games in no matter of time.
Also Read: NorthEast United VS FC Goa Match Ratings
Top 3 Indian players and 3 foreigners to look out for from SC East Bengal
The top three Indian players to look out for are Debjit Majumder, Narayan Das and Surchandra Singh. Debjit Majumder was the standout performer under the goalpost in the last match against his former team ATK Mohun Bagan FC where he had some brilliant outings, and saved his team on a quite a few occasions. Narayan Das had a brilliant 72% pass accuracy in the last match and kept the left-wing of SC East Bengal up and running with Jacques Maghoma in the upfront. He kept Prabir Das silent in the second half. Surchandra Singh had a brilliant start from being a benchwarmer in Mumbai City FC to starting in SC East Bengal, he had a great upliftment in the performance that he showed in the last match.
The three foreign players to look out for are Anthony Pilkington, Jacques Maghoma, Scott Neville. Anthony Pilkington showed everyone why he is one of the highly-rated midfielders in the league this season, he made some brilliant stepovers, took some long rangers that left ATK Mohun Bagan’s star-studded defense in awe. He will be the lookout player for SC East Bengal in this match as long as they get a foreign striker on board. Jacques Maghoma, the Spurs product paired with Pilkington in midfield tried to produce some pressure on the defense last match, he will be the player to watch out for in the left wing of SC East Bengal. Scott Neville was the standout reformer in SC East Bengal’s defense last matchmaking some crucial tackles, important clearances, ended the match with a stunning 93% passing accuracy.
Injuries
Mumbai City FC has no concerns with the injury.
Aaron Holloway would likely to miss one more game after he received a niggle in the practice, Loken Meitei also won’t be available in this match after receiving a hamstring pull during the first match.
Probable XI
Mumbai City FC (4-2-3-1)
Amrinder Singh (GK), Mohammed Rakip(RB), Mourtada Fall(CB), Sarthak Golui(CB), Mandar Rao Desai (LB), Rowlin Borges (CDM), Ahmed Jahouh (CDM), Hugo Boumous (CAM), CY Goddard (LW), Farukh Chowdhury (RW), Adam Le Fondre (FW)
Substitutions:- Phurba Lachenpa, Amey Ranawade, Herran Santana, Bartholomew Ogbeche, Sourav Das, Mehtab Singh, Bipin Singh, Bidyananada Singh
SC East Bengal (3-6-1)
Debjit Majumder (GK), Scott Neville (CB), Danny Fox (CB), Rana Gharami (CB), Surchandra Singh (RWB), Narayan Das (LWB), Matti Steinman (CDM), Md. Rafique (CAM), Anthony Pilkington (LW), Jacques Maghoma (RW), Balwant Singh (FW)
Substitution:- Sankar Roy, Abhishek Ambekar, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Mohammed Irshad, Bikash Jairu, Sehnaj Singh, Wahengbam Luwang, Yumnam Singh, Samad Mallick.
Prediction:- Looking at both the teams, Mumbai City FC can take three points from this match because SC East Bengal still need some time to regain their match fitness and few quick feets up their infront of the goal.
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