The action now boils down to the match that will settle the deal in the Indian Super League. Mumbai City FC, who are currently on the greatest winning streak in ISL history, are well set to clinch the ISL shield, but Hyderabad FC, the defending champions of the tournament, are hunting them down by giving a tough fight. Both sides played in October in what was their opening match of the season and pulled out an enterprising 3-3 draw and now, it’s time for Mumbai to host it, and possibly seal the Shield.
The Islanders are on top of the league table with 42 points from the 16 games thus far in the season. They have registered thirteen wins and drew three times, and are yet to face a defeat so far in the season. Their goal-scoring boots have been incredibly busy, having smashed 47 of them this season, the most by any team and 17 better than their Saturday’s opponents. They also have third best defensive record in the league having conceded only 14 goals. They triumphed over Northeast United at home in a match that ended 4-0, in what turned out to be a comprehensive performance.
Their resilience was tested significantly in the following match. Mumbai City FC did not have it easy against Jamshedpur FC and it seemed like they would register their first defeat of the season after Boris Singh Thangjam put the hosting team in lead around the hour mark. But Des Buckingham’s men, in the form they are in, were never going to let this momentum slide away that easily. They scored twice in the final 10 minutes, with goals coming from Lallianzuala Chhangte and Vikram Singh to pick up a sensational 2-1 win on a day things weren’t working as well.
“I thought the last result was arguably the most important result of our season so far, and I say that because we went in there and said to make a change very late with Rahul going out and Sanjeev coming in. We had three midfield players on yellow cards that could have locked them out for the Hyderabad game. It is a very tough place to go and when we look back at the game against Jamshedpur, prior to playing them, I said it before and I said it afterward that they’re a very good team. They created lots of chances, and we were wary of that,” said Des Buckingham after that sensational result in the City of Steel.
It has been a season to remember for the former champions, who are also the only team to win the ISL shield and trophy in the same season since the Shield was introduced. Hyderabad FC missed out on the top position in the league last season but won the ultimate price, however, Manolo Marquez is very keen on adding that trophy to the cabinet as well.
Hyderabad FC are currently second in the league table with 35 points in 15 games. They currently have the best defensive record in the league, conceding only 9 goals all season. The South Indian side come into this game off the back of a break not having featured in the previous round of fixtures and have been well rested. The Nizams took on East Bengal FC on the road in their last fixture and came out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Javier Siverio and Aaren D’Silva, registering their first-ever win at the iconic Salt Lake stadium.
Although Hyderabad FC were heavily dependent on Barthalomew Ogbeche last season, they have had the likes of Javier Siverio strike some big clutch goals this season. Marquez has thrived on keeping a stringent defensive discipline, which has led to multiple fruitful outcomes throughout this season and they are currently making massive strides towards adding another title, if they were to continue the same way.
The Nizams trail Mumbai City by seven points currently, but also have a game in hand having played only 15 league matches in comparison to Mumbai’s 16. Saturday offers them an opportunity to close in on the Islanders’ tally and thus possibly trigger a mini-collapse that could propel them to the top spot by the end of the 20 games. However, the way Buckingham has operated with his team lately, it will be a very difficult result to achieve for Hyderabad. However, if you were to pin money on anyone doing it this season, it would be them.
MUM vs HYD, ISL 2022/23
Date: February 4, 2023
Time: 5:30 PM IST
Venue: Andheri Sports Complex
FORM GUIDE:
Mumbai City form:
W-W-W-W-W
Hyderabad FC form:
W-D-W-W-W
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
Mumbai City FC wins: 2
Draws: 3
Hyderabad FC wins: 2
TEAM NEWS:
Mumbai City team news:
Amey Ranawade is a major miss for Mumbai City in this fixture. The highly impressive fullback will miss out nearly the entire season and Buckingham will be hoping for Rahul Bheke and Mandar Rao Dessai to do the job in his absence. The experience of Rostyn Griffiths in the defence has been one of the pillars to their success this season and once again, he will pair up with Mehtab Singh to trouble the Hyderabad strikers.
Greg Stewart easily has been their best player this season, contributing goals left, right and center. He has created the most chances for them this season (42), also recording seven assists. He has been well assisted by Lalengmawia Ralte, who has been instrumental in ensuring that Mumbai maintain a stronghold over the proceedings at the centre of midfield this year. Apuia has been monumental, asserting total dominance and control in the midfield along with Ahmed Jahouh. He has shielded the backline to perfection.
Jorge Diaz is the leading goal-scorer for Mumbai City alongside Lallianzuala Chhangte with nine goals each. Add Bipin Singh, who has been pretty active in the frontline for Mumbai, and they form one of the most lethal attacks in the league.
Hyderabad FC team news:
The big blow for Manolo Marquez will be the absence of his first-choice captain Joao Victor, their pillar in the defensive midfield. Alongside him, Chinglensana Singh is also suffering a niggle which keeps him out of this fixture.
Nikhil Poojary and Akash Mishra are one of the most dynamic modern-day full-back pairing in the ISL, who have been exceptional going forward and while defending their goal too. They will be dependent on Borja Herrera heavily in this clash in the absence of Joao Victor.
Bartholomew Ogbeche continues to be the leader of this Hyderabad team’s attack, who has scored seven goals so far and continues to remain on top as the leading goal-scorer in ISL history. He won the title with Mumbai City FC back in 2020-21, and repeated it with Hyderabad the following season and his thirst for silverware will definitely be up and running this time too. Siverio has scored five goals as well, who will be another player to watch out for.
Mumbai City FC possible starting lineup:
Phurba Lachenpa (GK); Rahul Bheke, Rostyn Griffiths, Mehtab Singh, Mandar Rao Dessai; Ahmed Jahouh, Lalengmawia Ralte; Lallianzuala Chhangte, Greg Stewart, Bipin Singh; Jorge Pereyra Diaz.
Hyderabad FC possible starting lineup:
Gurmeet Singh Chahal (GK); Nikhil Poojary, Nim Dorjee, Odei Onaindia, Akash Mishra; Hitesh Sharma, Borja Herrera; Mohammad Yasir, Joel Chianese, Rohit Danu; Bartholomew Ogbeche.
Predictions:
Des Buckingham has kept things tight so far in the tournament but Mumbai City looked shaky in their fixture against Jamshedpur FC. They did not defend with the same authority and their attack was cut-short to a large extent. They cannot remain rusty against Hyderabad, who will punish them the first opportunity they get.
Hyderabad FC on the other hand, who conceded just nine goals this season, had conceded three of them in the reverse fixture. They are aware of the danger Mumbai possess and will not be dreaming of a cleansheet, although it will be a priority. They will get their chances in the attack and they will have to capitalise if they aim to produce a big result.
Our prediction is for an entertaining 2-2 draw.
