Mumbai City FC pulled off an incredible, last gasp 3-2 victory over Bengaluru FC in their previous game, inflicting a first defeat of the season on the Sunil Chhetri-led side, climbing to sixth spot in the ISL table, with 10 points in eight games.
The win would have given the team a massive boost, and it arguably came at the best time possible as their next fixture will be against a formidable Jamshedpur FC outfit. The Jamshedpur-based club are currently fourth and have suffered just one loss all season, against ATK.
However, they enjoy a good record against Mumbai City FC. Since their inception in the Indian Super League, Jamshedpur FC have never ended up on the losing side against the Islanders. They have played each other four times, with Jamshedpur FC winning three and drawing the other.
In fact, Jamshedpur have won the last three encounters, with Mumbai having only scored two goals in those games. The latter have also conceded seven goals in the four games, and considering their leaky defence, they have conceded 15 goals, second only to Hyderabad FC, it will prove to be a tough task.
Naturally, Mumbai City FC’s record at the JRD Tata Sports Complex also does not make for great reading. They have scored both their goals against Jamshedpur FC at the ground but have conceded three.
However, Jamshedpur come into the encounter on the back of three consecutive draws, against NorthEast United FC, the resurgent Chennaiyin FC, and Kerala Blasters FC.
Sergio Castel vs Amine Chermiti
The match will also pit Jamshedpur’s Sergio Castel and Mumbai’s Amine Chermiti against each other. The former has scored five goals in six games while Chermiti has found the back of the net four times in eight games. They have had six and five shots on target respectively but Chermiti will have to time his runs better, having been called offside nine times in comparison to just one for Castel.
Read | Jamshedpur FC’s Sergio Castel roaring his way to the top in the ISL
The match-up throws up another interesting stat- both teams are unbeaten in their last four games, with Mumbai City FC one among four sides to remain unbeaten away from home while Jamshedpur FC, along with ATK, to be unbeaten at home this season.
Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @MumbaiCityFC
