Agencies
Chennai
Chennaiyin FC take on Mumbai City FC in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday in what will be their last home game of the league stage.
Mumbai head into Tuesday’s crunch tie knowing fully well that they must win to remain in the semis hunt. The Super Machans, on the other hand, will be in the fray even if they lose to Mumbai. However, then they will have to beat FC Pune City in their next match and hope NorthEast United lose to the Stallions and that Mumbai fail to get full three points against Atletico de Kolkata. Chennai and Mumbai lie on opposite sides of the form guide with Mumbai having taken three points out of their last 18, whereas the Super Machans are one of the form teams of the league at the moment with back-to-back wins and eight goals in the process.
Bernard Mendy vs Sunil Chhetri
Bernard Mendy’s dominant presence at the back for the Super Machans will be key if Chennai are to maintain their late surge to the Top 4. Mendy has hardly put a foot wrong all season and has made 23 tackles and 52 clearances for his side this year. The veteran defender is also a threat in the opponent’s penalty area and has already scored once in Hero ISL 2015.
Mumbai City FC will be pinning their hopes on the shoulders of India’s all-time top goal-scorer Sunil Chhetri who also happens to be the leading scorer for Mumbai this season. Chhetri’s clinical finishing and ability to create chances for his team-mates makes him one of the most potent attacking threats for his team.
Raphael Augusto vs Juan Aguilera
Raphael Augusto has been one of the most influential players at the centre of the park for the southern-outfit. The 24-year-old has the most number of completed passes (567) amongst Chennai players, and is second only to FC Goa’s Leo Moura in the league. Augusto has also made more interceptions than any other Chennaiyin player and has scored once for his team.
Juan Aguilera will be absolutely key to Mumbai’s chances of a win on Tuesday. Aguilera’s solid performance in the 1-1 draw against Kerala Blasters FC last week saw him bag the Hero-of-the-Match Award. The veteran Spaniard’s poise and comfort when in possession has seen him score once and provide two assists for Mumbai in Season 2.
Stiven Mendoza vs Frantz Bertin
Stiven Mendoza has been in spectacular form this season. He is the top-scorer of Hero ISL 2015 with 10 goals to his credit. The Colombian’s electrifying pace has terrorised opposition defences this season. Mendoza’s vision with the ball at his feet in the final third has also seen him provide two assists this year.
Frantz Bertin will have his work cut out against an all attacking Chennaiyin side that has scored on eight occasions in their last two matches. Bertin has been solid for Mumbai all season and has made 29 tackles for his team so far. He also has a passing accuracy of 91% and has scored once from a corner this season.
Form Guide (Last 5 matches)
Chennaiyin FC: L-L-L-W-W
Mumbai City FC: D-D-L-L-D
Head-to-Head: Mumbai City FC have never beaten Chennaiyin FC in the Hero ISL. They lost 5-1 and 3-0 against the Super Machans last year and also lost 2-0 at the DY Patil Stadium earlier this season.
