Mumbai City vs Odisha: Preview and Prediction
Mumbai City will lock horns with Odisha in ‘Match 90’ of the 2021-22 Indian Super League season at the Fatorda Stadium on Sunday. The winner of this match will venture into the top four, albeit temporarily.
Reigning champions Mumbai City had a fantastic start to their season but things went downhill for them after the first five matches. They are currently in a rebuilding phase and are occupying sixth place in the standings with 22 points from 14 matches.
On the other hand, Odisha has had a rollercoaster ride this season with no stability. They have accumulated 21 points from 15 matches and are placed in the seventh position. Though the Kalinga Warriors are still in contention for a semi-final spot, the room for margin is now smaller than ever before.
Current Form
Mumbai City might not be as dominant as they once were, but they still deserve credit for remaining unbeaten in their last three fixtures. The reigning champions have picked up five points from these matches.
The Islanders secured a hugely important 1-0 triumph in their last match against Chennaiyin since before taking on the Marina Machans, Des Buckingham’s men played two consecutive 1-1 draws against ATK Mohun Bagan and NorthEast United.
Like their opponents, Odisha will also come into this back on the back of a victory as they won 2-1 against East Bengal in their last match, courtesy of goals from Jonathas and Javi Hernandez.
It was a crucial victory as Kino Garcia’s team was winless in their last three matches. They played out a 1-1 stalemate against Goa before facing the Red and Golds, while the match preceding that saw them losing out 3-2 against Hyderabad.
Head to Head Record
Odisha is ahead on head-to-head records by the slightest of margins, as they have won three of the five meetings against Mumbai City, whilst the Islanders have emerged victoriously on two occasions.
The first meeting of this season produced a 4-2 scoreline in the Kalinga Warriors’ favor. A Jerry Mawihmingthanga brace and strikes from Aridai Cabrera and Jonathas comprised Odisha’s four goals, while Ahmed Jahouh and Igor Angulo were on target for Buckingham’s team.
Team News
Thoiba Singh (middle) is likely to be reinstated in Odisha’s midfield
Buckingham can opt to field an unchanged starting XI after bagging three points against Chennaiyin, but there is room for a tweak. Brazilian midfielder Cassinho was not very influential in that match and he could be dropped to the bench in this tie.
By doing so, the English tactician will be able to field a deadly attacking pairing of Angulo and Diego Mauricio, but Mumbai City will have to switch to a 4-4-2 formation for that to happen.
Similarly, Garcia is also expected to make one change to the team that won 3-2 against East Bengal. Young midfielder Paul Ramfangzuava did not look particularly confident and might lose his place in the starting XI.
Thankfully for the Kalinga Warriors, they will have their reliable workhorse, Thoiba Singh, back for this match after he served his one-game suspension. Though Aridai too was not very impressive against the Red and Golds, he is expected to retain his place for now.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Mumbai City (4-4-2): Mohamad Nawaz; Rahul Bheke, Mourtada Fall, Mehtab Singh, Mandar Rao Dessai; Lallianzuala Chhangte, Apuia Ralte, Ahmed Jahouh, Bipin Singh; Igor Angulo, Diego Mauricio.
Odisha (4-2-3-1): Arshdeep Singh; Lalruatthara, Gaurav Bora, Victor Mongil, Sahil Panwar; Thoiba Singh, Isaac Vanmalsawma; Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Javi Hernandez, Aridai Cabrera; Jonathas.
Prediction
Odisha might hold the upper hand in head-to-head statistics, but we have gone with a Mumbai City victory in this clash as it seems that the defending champions are finally finding their amulet back. We have predicted a 2-1 scoreline in the Islanders’ favor.