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ISL-4: Confident Mumbai City FC host winless champions ATK!

A rejuvenated Mumbai City FC host defending champions ATK at the Mumbai Football Arena in Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 on Sunday. Mumbai have been slightly inconsistent, but they will be high on confidence after edging Chennaiyin FC in their last fixture. They are also the only team to have inflicted a defeat on a free-scoring FC Goa side, and will want to carry the momentum into their match against ATK. The reigning champions, on the other hand, have had a largely underwhelming campaign so far, and are the only team yet to register a victory. Injuries have not been kind to them, and neither have the results. Two draws and two defeats have them rooted at the bottom of the table, and the team desperately needs a change in fortunes which they hope will start from their visit to Mumbai.

HEAD TO HEAD

Mumbai City FC 3–3 ATK (2 draws)

KEY PLAYERS

Achille Emana (Mumbai City FC)

The Cameroonian has been one of the strongest players in the league so far. His powerful runs down the middle combined with his ability to pierce any defence has made him an integral part of the Islanders’ squad. Emana will look to influence play once more when Mumbai host ATK after calmly slotting home the penalty that won his team their previous match against Chennaiyin.

Hitesh Sharma (ATK)

The teenager has been one of the few players who has performed consistently for ATK this season. His pace down the middle of the park has been a constant threat for the opponents, as is his knack for finding the right passes leading to an attack. Sharma gets a good number of shots away and will look to inspire ATK to their first win of the campaign when they visit Mumbai.

POTENTIAL LINEUPS

Mumbai City FC

Alexandre Guimaraes will probably go for his commonly used 4-3-3, providing some good flair to the attack.

Goalkeeper: Amrinder Singh

Defenders: Raju Gaikwad, Lucian Goian, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Davinder Singh

Midfielders: Abinash Ruidas, Achille Emana, Gerson Vieira

Forwards: Everton Santos, Balwant Singh, Rafa Jorda

Mumbai’s head coach on Sunday’s fixture: “We have started to play better and we have more balance in our team. I am very sure that we will have the possibilities to continue to remain strong at home, because this is one of our objectives. Tomorrow we play against a team which is very tough. But I think after Kerala, our players understood what our intended action in terms of playing is. I am very glad that we are in that state of development. Let us see what happens tomorrow.”

ATK

Teddy Sheringham may opt for a more compact 4-2-3-1 formation, packing the midfield with bodies and a sole striker up front.

Goalkeeper: Debjit Majumder

Defenders: Keegan Pereira, Tom Thorpe, Jordi Montel, Prabir Das

Midfielders: Conor Thomas, Hitesh Sharma, Zequinha, Bipin Singh, Rupert Nongrum

Forward: Njazi Kuqi

ATK’s head coach on the team’s mindset ahead of the away fixture: “It’s a tough one (game). We defended the same and we have attacked the same. When you have drawn and lost two games, you are obviously going to be looking at the defensive aspects of things. I don’t blame anyone. We defend as a team and we attack as a team. We need to be better in all departments and that is something which we are working on.”

KEY STAT

ATK head into the contest as the only side yet to register a victory in ISL 2017-18

LAST ENCOUNTER

Mumbai City FC 0–0 ATK (13th December 2016 in the semi-final second leg at the Mumbai Football Arena)

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