As the race for the top four intensifies in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2020-21 season, the matchweek 15 kicks off with Chennaiyin FC taking on Mumbai City FC at the GMC Stadium, Bambolim on Monday.
As things stand, Mumbai are five points clear of second-placed ATK Mohun Bagan in the ISL points table.
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming fixtures in matchweek 15:
Chennaiyin FC vs Mumbai City FC
While Mumbai City FC defeated SC East Bengal 1-0 in their last game, Chennaiyin FC succumbed to a 1-0 loss to ATK Mohun Bagan in their last encounter.
The Islanders have remained unbeaten in their last five matches, winning four and playing a goalless draw against Hyderabad FC. On the other hand, Chennaiyin FC have been pretty inconsistent this season, winning just one game in their last five matches. The Marina Machans lost the other two while two ended in a stalemate.
CFC vs MCFC (Last 5 Matches)
| CFC | Metrics | MCFC |
| 1 | Wins | 4 |
| 2 | Draws | 1 |
| 2 | Losses | 0 |
The two teams have faced each other 13 times in the league, with Chennaiyin FC leading with six wins while they have ended on the wrong side on five occasions. Two of their clashes have ended in a draw.
Along with FC Goa, Mumbai have scored the maximum goals in the ongoing league (18) while also conceding the least number of goals (4) in ISL 7. Meanwhile, Csaba László’s men have scored 10 goals while conceding 13 in the league so far.
Mumbai City FC will clearly start as the overwhelming favourites against Chennaiyin FC on Monday.
NorthEast United FC vs ATK Mohun Bagan
NorthEast United FC will need to bring their A-game if they are to beat a star-studded ATK Mohun Bagan side on Tuesday. Antonio Lopez Habas’ men had defeated the Highlanders 2-0 in January this year.
As far as their current form goes, ATK Mohun Bagan have managed two wins in their last five matches, drawing two and losing one. On the other hand, NorthEast United have managed just a solitary win in their last five encounters. The Highlanders have drawn two and lost the other two matches during this time period.
Interestingly, ATKMB have scored 11 of their 12 goals in the second half. Boasting of the second best defence in the league after Mumbai, the Mariners have conceded just five goals in 12 matches. On the other hand, NorthEast have conceded nine of their 16 goals in the second half.
| NEUFC vs ATKMB goals conceded comparison |
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| Teams | First-Half | Second-Half | Total |
| NEUFC | 7 | 9 | 16 |
| ATKMB | 1 | 4 | 5 |
ATK Mohun Bagan are tipped to beat the Highlanders when they lock horns at the Fatorda Stadium on Tuesday.
Kerala Blasters FC vs Jamshedpur FC
Both Kerala Blasters FC and Jamshedpur FC have 14 points from 13 matches in the ISL 2020-21 points table, and the two teams are currently separated by goal difference.
The Tuskers have managed two wins in their last five ISL games while the Red Miners have secured just one victory in the same number of matches.
Kerala and Jamshedpur have faced each other seven times in the league, with the Men of Steel winning two while the Blasters have a solitary win. Four of those matches have ended in a stalemate.
| Kerala Blasters vs Jamshedpur FC head-to-head |
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| Kerala Blasters | Metrics | Jamshedpur FC |
| 7 | Matches | 7 |
| 1 | Wins | 2 |
| 4 | Draws | 4 |
Meanwhile, the Tuskers have scored 11 of their 17 goals in the second half while the Red Miners have conceded 11 of their 17 goals in the second 45 minutes of the match.
Riding on the recent form, Kerala will start as favourites against Jamshedpur in matchweek 15.
Hyderabad FC vs Bengaluru FC
Fourth-placed Hyderabad FC will look to continue their unbeaten streak when they face Bengaluru FC on Thursday.
Manuel Márquez Roca’s men have won two and drawn three of their last five ISL encounters while Bengaluru have failed to win a single game in their last five matches.
HFC vs BFC (Last 5 Matches)
| HFC | Metrics | BFC |
| 2 | Wins | 0 |
| 3 | Draws | 2 |
| 0 | Losses | 3 |
However, Sunil Chhetri and his team have remained unbeaten in Hyderabad FC vs Bengaluru FC head-to-head stats. The Blues have won one and drawn two of their three matches against the Nizams.
Hyderabad have scored 12 goals in the second half while Bengaluru have conceded nine goals in the second half of the match.
On current form, the Nizams are tipped to beat the ISL 5 champions and edge closer to the playoff qualification.
FC Goa vs SC East Bengal
FC Goa have remained unbeaten in their last five ISL matches and the Gaurs are currently sitting third in the ISL points table. Juan Ferrando’s men will look to continue their good form as they lock horns with new entrants SC East Bengal on Friday.
Robbie Fowler's East Bengal, who had endured a difficult start to their new life in the ISL, have added six points to their tally in the last five games.
Interestingly, while FC Goa have scored 12 goals in the second half, SC East Bengal have conceded 13 goals during that time period. The Gaurs have scored as many as seven goals in the last 15 minutes of the match while the Red and Gold Brigade have conceded five goals during the same time frame.
| FC Goa vs SC East Bengal minute scored comparison (minute-wise) |
||||||
| Goals Scored | 0-15 | 16-30 | 31-45 | 46-60 | 61-75 | 76-90 |
| FCG | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
| SCEB | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| FC Goa vs SC East Bengal minute conceded comparison (minute-wise) |
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| Goals Scored | 0-15 | 16-30 | 31-45 | 46-60 | 61-75 | 76-90 |
| FCG | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| SCEB | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 5 |
FC Goa are tipped to continue their unbeaten streak against SC East Bengal in the matchweek 15.
Feature image courtesy: 2021 Indian Super League
