ISL 2017, Match 22: Mumbai City FC vs Chennaiyin FC, Predicted XI
Mumbai City FC are ready to welcome season 2 champions Chennaiyin FC at the Mumbai Football Arena for their 2nd home game of this season. Mumbai have continued their domination at home from last season as their only victory in ISL 2017 came while playing at home.
Mumbaikars have managed to salvage a point in their last game against Kerala Blasters FC and lost the Maharashtra derby in the dying minutes against Pune. Playing at home, they will surely look to bounce back and return to winning ways tonight.
On the other side, Chennaiyin FC have come off the back of 3 back-to-back victories after a loss in the opening game. More importantly, Chennaiyin FC managed to keep a clean-sheet against one of the most attacking sides of this season, FC Pune City. Historically Chennaiyin FC have had an upper hand over the Islanders as they have won 4 out of the 6 head-to-heads, while Mumbai managed to win just 1.
Mumbai City FC
Mumbai skipper Lucian Goian seems to be a confident man after their hard-fought draw against the Blasters. Mumbai need to show some real character tonight to stop the winning run of Chennaiyin FC. Their only victory against the Super Machans came while playing at home in ISL 2016.
With Leo Costa returning from injury, it will be a real boost for the Mumbaikars tonight. He is most probably expected to replace Emana as a dead-ball expert. Alexandre Guimaraes is likely to continue his favoured attacking formation of 3-2-4-1 with Sehnaj and Vieira playing as a defensive midfielders to keep a balance at the back.
Mumbai City FC Probable Starting XI: Amrinder, Rozario, Goian, Raju, Vieira, Sehnaj, Sanju, Costa, E. Santos, Ruidas, Balwant.
Chennaiyin FC
After 3 back-to-back victories, Chennaiyin FC will look to continue their good historical record against the Mumbai City FC. Chennaiyin head coach John Gregory will be quite relaxed after their main striker Jeje found the back of the net for the first time in this season as he scored a match-deciding brace against ATK.
With Raphael Augusto back from injury, Jaimie Gavilan will have to make way for him in the starting 11. He is expected to field his boys in the 4-4-1-1 formation to keep a balance in attack and defence tonight. Germanpreet Singh might make an early appearance as a substitute, if everything goes as planned for the Super Machans.
Chennaiyin FC Probable Starting XI: Karanjit, Claderon, Sereno, Mailson, Jerry, Nelson, Dhanpal, Bikramjit, Francisco, Augusto, Jeje.
Chennaiyin FC Probable Starting XIPrediction
Prediction
Mumbai City FC 1-2 Chennaiyin FC
Chennaiyin FC are expected to continue their winning streak and take home all 3 points tonight at the Mumbai Football Arena. Chennai have to be cautious with set-pieces in presence of Leo Costa in Mumbai line-up.