ISL 2015: Atletico de Kolkata vs Mumbai City FC- Preview, Live Stream & Channel Info, Team News, Prediction
Defending champions Atletico de Kolkata, who are currently sitting at the top of the table, host bottom-placed Mumbai City FC in their last game of the group stage at the Salt Lake Stadium. Atletico de Kolkata have 23 points from 13 games and have already secured qualification for the play-offs, while Mumbai City FC have just 13 points from 13 games, and will be looking to get themselves out of the foot of the table.
A win for Atletico de Kolkata will guarantee a top-placed finish in the group stages considering they have a much superior goal difference than the Delhi Dynamos. The home side are in brilliant form having won 4 of their last 5 games while the visitors haven’t won in their last 7 games. Atletico de Kolkata won 4-1 against Mumbai City FC in the reverse fixture, thanks to a hat-trick from Canadian striker Iain Hume.
Kick off and Live Telecast
Live Telecast: Star Sports 2 & 3, Star Sports HD2 & HD3
Live Streaming: starsports.com
Date and Time: 4 December 2015 – 19:00 IST
Venue: Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
Team News
It’s highly unlikely marquee signing Helder Postiga will feature for Atletico de Kolkata as he is still not match fit, despite training with the first team since three weeks. Former Eibar player Javi Lara is also out due to injury, and won’t make it to the matchday squad either. Atletico de Kolkata are likely to field a strong starting XI, and keep the momentum going, despite securing a place in the play-offs already.
The back four of Rino Anto, Arnab Mondal, Tiri and Augustin Fernandes are likely to start again while Ofentse Nato and Borja Fernandez will start in the midfield. The attacking trio of Sameehg Doutie, Jamie Gavilan, and Arata Izumi will start just behind Iain Hume, who is in fine goal scoring form.
For Mumbai City FC, it’s unlikely Nicolas Anelka will start himself after facing a lot of criticism lately, and Frédéric Piquionne is expected to start up front with Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri just behind him. Sony Norde and Subhash Singh are likely to start as the wide attackers while Selim Benachour and Juan Aguilera will start in the middle of the park. The back four of Lalchhuanmawia Fanai, Pavel Cmovs, Frantz Bertin, and Rowlison are also expected to start.
Probable Lineups
Atletico de Kolkata(4-2-3-1): Amrinder, Anto, Mondal, Tiri, Fernandes, Nato, Borja, Izumi, Gavilan, Doutie, Hume
Mumbai City FC(4-2-3-1): Subrata Paul, Lalchhuanmawia Fanai, Pavel Cmovs, Frantz Bertin, Rowlison, Selim Benachour, Juan Aguilera, Subhash Singh, Sunil Chhetri, Sony Norde, Frédéric Piquionne
Key Battles:
Sameehg Doutie vs Rowilson
Sameehg Doutie has three goals, and six assists to his name in the 9 games he has played so far. The South African winger can cause problems for Rowilson with his pace, skills and direct running. Doutie can be ruthless inside the penalty box, and if given a chance to cut in and shoot he exactly knows where the back of the net is.
Rowilson faces a daunting task of keeping him quiet for 90 minutes with him being in fine form.
Iain Hume vs Pavel Cmovs
The Canadian striker is not shy of scoring and is in brilliant form. Iain Hume scored a hat-trick in Atletico de Kolkata’s last game against FC Pune City and has since taken his goal tally to 9 goals this season.The Canadian striker is also the most fouled player in the Indian Super League this season.
Pavel Cmovs has been Mumbai City FC’s best defender so far in the tournament having made 39 tackles, and 91 clearances for his team, but he’ll have to be at his best to stop Hume from scoring again against Mumbai City FC.
Prediction
Atletico de Kolkata looks unstoppable at the moment, and it’s unlikely they’ll drop points against a bottom placed team.
Atletico de Kolkata 3-0 Mumbai City FC