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Chennaiyin FC host Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Saturday. The 2015 champions have qualified for the semifinals and will look to record a win to up their confidence while entering the next phase of the league.
On the other hand, the Islanders’ hopes of entering the semifinals were dashed when they were routed 1-5 by Delhi Dynamos FC in their last fixture. With no added pressure of fighting for a semifinal berth, Mumbai will aim to finish the current season on a high by picking up maximum points.
HEAD TO HEAD
Chennaiyin FC 4–2 Mumbai City FC (1 Draw)
KEY PLAYERS
Jeje Lalpekhlua (Chennaiyin FC)
The Mizo sniper has been his team’s go-to man up front. He has used his strength to good effect along with his clinical finishing. He has seven goals to his name so far and will look to net some more against Mumbai to give Chennaiyin a boost in the next phase of the league.
Everton Santos (Mumbai City FC)
The Brazilian has been a key figure up front for the Islanders. He has used his speed and dribbling abilities to score and provide with equal fervour. Everton has five goals and five assists to his name and will look to inspire his team to a final win over Chennaiyin.
POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS
Chennaiyin FC
John Gregory may use a 4-2-3-1 formation, which will depend on services from the wide areas and midfield for the striker.
Goalkeeper: Karanjit Singh
Defenders: Inigo Calderon, Sanjay Balmuchu, Henrique Sereno, Jerry Lalrinzuala
Midfielders: Dhanpal Ganesh, Anirudh Thapa, Raphael Augusto, Rene Mihelic, Gregory Nelson
Forward: Jeje Lalpekhlua
Chennaiyin head coach on the importance of the fixture: “It’s a big game for us. The players are playing for places in the semi-finals. It’s really up to those guys and the way they go about the game tomorrow. We obviously want to finish strongly. It’s our last regular season game and in all our games, we have been tested.”
Mumbai City FC
Alexandre Guimaraes may opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation, that gives Mumbai numerous options going forward.
Goalkeeper: Amrinder Singh
Defenders: Raju Gaikwad, Lucian Goian, Gerson Vieira, Sehnaj Singh
Midfielders: Sahil Tavora, Achille Emana, Sanju Pradhan, Abinash Ruidas, Thiago Santos
Forward: Rafa Jorda
Mumbai head coach on his team’s aim for the encounter: “We may not have qualified, but we have not lost our respect. We have all the resources available for our last match, so I would put the best players available tomorrow. And then we will obviously be going for the win because then we will finish at the sixth place. That is a position where we can be satisfied.”
KEY STATS
– Chennaiyin have the least number of losses (4) this season but has drawn the second-most number of games (5)
– Mumbai have drawn just twice this season, but have lost more games (8) than they have won (7)
LAST ENCOUNTER
Mumbai City FC 1–0 Chennaiyin FC (10th December 2017 at the Mumbai Football Arena)
FORM GUIDE (Last five matches)
Chennaiyin FC: D D W D L
Mumbai City FC: L W W L L
