ISL 2015: FC Goa vs Mumbai City FC - Preview, Live stream & TV channel info, Team News, Prediction
Still unbeaten against the mighty Gaurs in the history of the ISL, Mumbai City FC are hoping to keep the same record when Nicolas Anelka’s men arrive on Tuesday at Fatorda’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Mumbai City FC face a much bigger task as they desperately need a win to move up to the top four with only five games remaining. On the other hand, league leaders FC Goa is desperate to avenge their first-leg loss against Mumbai City FC when the two sides face-off on Match Day 39 of Hero Indian Super League.
Kickoff and Live Telecast
Date and Time: Tuesday, 17th Â?Â?November 2015 – 1900 IST
Venue: Fatorda Stadium, Margao – Goa.
Live Telecast: StarSports 2 & 3, StarSports HD2 & HD
Live Streaming: starsports.com
Team News
FC Goa
Table toppers FC Goa will be returning to their fortress, Fatorda, after being on the road for almost a fortnight. The team has managed to maintain their top spot and will be looking to carry on with the same momentum.
Coach Zico will have the complete squad at his disposal barring a few niggling injuries to Rafael Coelho and CS Sabeeth. The only absentee will be Pronay Halder who may be ruled out of this ISL due to injury. Most of the other players who were on the injury list like Jofre Gonzalez, Reinaldo Oliveira, Victorino Fernandes are all fit and available for selection.
Zico, in fact will have to make the right choices since he has all players at his disposal. Lucio, Gregory, Narayan Das and Raju Gaikwad are expected to keep their place in the starting eleven. Bikramjit Singh also could start in front of the back four as always. The midfielder could comprise of Jonatan Lucca, Leo Moura, Jofre and Mandar Rao Desai with Reinaldo or Dudu playing as the lone striker.
Mumbai City FC
Mumbai City FC have found the going tough in the last few matches largely due to the goof up in their playing formation. Coach Nicolas Anelka will have to get the system right if he has to earn even a point from this encounter.
The away side will be missing the service of Sony Norde and Franz Bertin who are away on international duty with Haiti. Another absentee will be Brandon Fernandes who has been ruled out of this ISL. Sunil Chhetri is expected to return to the starting eleven and will most probably play on the left, in the absence of Sony Norde.
Freddy Piquonne should play upfront along with Subhash Singh while Gabriel Fernandes, Selim Benachour and Cristian Bustos are expected to play in the midfield. The back four will remain the same with Pavel Cmovs and Darren O'Dea in the centre and Mawia and Ashutosh Mehta on the flanks.
Probable starting XIs
FC Goa XI :Laxmikant Kattimani,Raju Gaikwad, Lucio, Arnolin Gregory, Narayan Das, Bikramjit Singh, Jofre, Jonathan Lucca, Leo Moura, Mandar Rao Desai, Dudu.
Mumbai City FC XI : Subrata Pal, Darren O’dea, Pavel Cmovs, Lalchhuan Mawia, Ashutosh Mehta, Cristian Bustos, Selim Benachour, Gabriel Fernandes, Sunil Chetri, Subhash Singh, Frederic Piquionne.
Key Battles
Sunil Chhetri Vs Lucio
Sunil Chhetri, probably the only well recognised Indian footballer will come up against a well known Brazilian defender, Lucio who has as accumulated a number of significant accomplishments, winning the 2002 World Cup, 2005 Confederations Cup and 2009 Confederations Cup.
Chhetri has got good technical ability and is a good finisher too. Whereas Lucio is a strong defender with good aerial play, who also adds presence in the attack. Sunil Chetri has got the leadership quality to drive the team forward. Lucio wears a captain’s armband and has motivated FC Goa to gain the top spot in the league.
Jonathan Lucca Vs Cristian Bustos
Jonathan Lucca, the ex-Roma player is the man to watch out for. Already having scored 3 goals & garnered an assist, this wonder boy is more than just a defensive midfielder. Mumbai City FC's Cristian Bustos also has earned his place by showing some good defensive skills with 32 successful tackles & 16 clearances. It'll be a good contest when one of the most feared defensive midfielder (Jonathan Lucca) of ISL meets a diligent footballer (Cristian Bustos) who has been at the heart of the Mumbai City FC defense.
Prediction
A slightly weakened Mumbai City FC will come up against the table toppers who have shown some steel so far in the ISL 2015. Even though the Gaurs have never before won against Anelka's side, it just might be Zico’s day.
FC Goa 1-0 Mumbai City FC