ISL 2017/18, Match 50: Mumbai City FC vs Bengaluru FC, Probable XI

Bengaluru FC defeated Mumbai in the reverse fixture

Mumbai City FC are all set to host Bengaluru FC in the 50th game of the ISL 2017/18 season at the Mumbai Football Arena in Mumbai. This is going to be the sixth home game of the season for the Islanders and in their previous encounter, Bengaluru defeated Mumbai with help of two second-half goals and also managed to keep a clean-sheet.

The Mumbaikars will be approaching the game off the back of a home defeat against Kerala Blasters FC. They will surely aim to establish their domination at home and avenge their loss in the reverse fixture. Currently in fifth place on the points table, Mumbai have a chance to claim the third spot with help of a win on Thursday.

On the other side, visitors Bengaluru FC will aim to get back to winning ways after a shock defeat against bottom side Delhi Dynamos FC in their last game. The Blues have a chance the claim top spot on the table with a win tonight.

Mumbai City FC

Mumbai City FC head coach Alexandre Guimaraes believes that the performance of his side is growing with every game. Despite coming at the back of a defeat, Guimaraes believes that results are not the only constraint to judge the development of the side. According to him, Mumbai are organized much better as compared to their opening game against Bengaluru and will give their best tonight.

Considering the attacking abilities of the opponent, we are expecting Raju Gaikwad and Sehnaj Singh to replace Sanju Pradhan and Davinder Singh in the starting XI. The Costa Rican head coach is expected to field his side in the unorthodox formation of 3-2-4-1 to keep a balance between attack and defence.

Mumbai City FC Probable Starting XI: Amrinder, Raju, Wadoo, Goian, Vieira, Sehnaj, Ruidas, E. Santos, Emana, T. Santos, Balwant.

Bengaluru FC

Bengaluru FC head coach Albert Roca termed the loss against Delhi as their worst game of this season and urged players to raise the bar against Mumbai tonight. He believes Mumbai are a tough team to break and deserved a better result against Kerala. He will surely aim to claim the top spot tonight with a win over Mumbai City FC.

The Spaniard will have to fill the gap for Subhasish Bose and is expected to bring back the rested players from last game. We are expecting Paartalu, Udanta and Nishu to replace Bose, Lenny and Nobrega in the starting XI from last game.

Bengaluru FC Probable Starting XI: Gurpreet, Khabra, Bheke, Johnson, Nishu, Dimas, Gracia, Udanta, Paartalu, Chhetri, Miku.

Prediction

Mumbai City FC 1-1 Bengaluru FC

Considering the strong defence of both sides, we are expecting both teams to share one point each from the game at the Mumbai Football Arena tonight. A result might be possible with help of a set-piece in the dying minutes.