ISL 2015: Chennaiyin FC v Mumbai City FC - Preview, Live stream & TV channel info, Team News, Prediction
With qualification to the semifinals back in their own hands, Chennayin FC welcome Mumbai City FC to the Marina Arena, amidst a monsoon that has been relentless. Two wins from their last two games will assure Chennaiyin a spot in the last four, and the pursuit of those wins will begin against a Mumbai side, that are in the chase only mathematically.
Mumbai’s manager Nicolas Anelka made it clear that his side would fight till the end. “As long as there is a mathematical possibility of qualification, we will fight. Things haven’t gone ideally for us, and we have only ourselves to blame.”
For Marco Materazzi, the outlook before the game was a very pragmatic one. He said, “Obviously qualification is in our hands now, but that doesn’t mean that we can relax. We still have to go out, and play good football and get the points that we require.”
Kickoff and Live Telecast
Date and Time: Tuesday, 1st December 2015 – 19:00 IST
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai
Channel: Star Sports 2 and 3, Star Sports HD 2 and HD 3
Live Stream: starsports.com
Team News
Chennaiyin FC
Harmanjot Khabra is suspended after picking up his fourth yellow card of the tournament in the 4-0 win over Delhi Dynamos. His discipline through this tournament has irked Materazzi.
The Italian said, “A player of his quality would be important to any side, and it is no different for us. He is one of our crucial players and him missing four and a half games out of 13 due to suspensions is disappointing.”
Materazzi has other injury concerns as well. Jayesh Rane has not yet fully recovered from his ankle problem, while Elano’s fitness remains a question, as the Brazilian has not started the last two games after picking up a knock in the away defeat to Atletico de Kolkata.
Manuele Blasi is expected to take Khabra’s place in midfield, with Edel Bete making way for Karanjit Singh to ensure the minimum number of Indian players are present.
Mumbai City FC
Anelka confirmed that he wouldn’t play as he has not yet recovered from an injury picked up earlier in the tournament. The Frenchman heaped praise on Sunil Chhetri, saying he couldn’t have asked for more from the Indian captain.
“I see Sunil more of a midfielder who scores goals, than as a striker. He is the ultimate professional, who always works very hard both in games and in training. I cannot complain about anything with Sunil. He is ideal.”
Anelka would have hoped for more goals from Sony Norde and Freddie Piquionne, but they haven’t done enough to support Chhetri who has got six goals in the tournament. Anelka bemoaned the lack of quality options in his side saying, “We haven’t got enough quality and that shows with our position on the table. We cannot deny that.”