There was nothing to separate Hyderabad FC and ATK Mohun Bagan in the first leg of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) semi-final as the two sides played out a goalless draw at the GMC Balayogi Athletic stadium in Hyderabad. 

The two teams will square off once again in the second leg in Kolkata, which will determine which team goes through to the final. Both defences came out on top, and the second leg will thus put the spotlight on the talented attackers on either side who would be expected to make a telling difference in this tie. 

Hero ISL experts Erik Paartalu, Phil Brown and Paul Masefield were handed the tough job of picking a winner in this contest, and this is how they went about it:

Erik Paartalu's predictions 

ATK Mohun Bagan 1-0 Hyderabad FC (ATK Mohun Bagan to win 1-0 on aggregate)

The Mariners are at home, and they have been very clinical there. There is something in the air and it could be the crowd there. Whatever it is, they are dominant at the Salt Lake stadium.

They beat Hyderabad FC 1-0 in their first game this season at the Salt Lake, and I think it will be the same story here. 

Hyderabad FC will do everything to get a goal, but it will be the Mariners who score early and will be able to hang on and get themselves into the Hero ISL final.

Phil Brown's predictions

ATK Mohun Bagan 0-1 Hyderabad FC (Hyderabad FC win 1-0 on aggregate)

How this semi-final didn't have any goals so far, I don't know. Both goalkeepers were excellent on the day, and both defences were on top. I think Hyderabad FC showed enough edge in the final third but not enough cutting edge. I think that cutting edge will come and result in a 1-0 win for them. If they get their noses in front, then they are absolutely superb at defending a 1-0 lead. 

The crowd will play a big part. The atmosphere will be outstanding, if the ATK Mohun Bagan fans turn up in big numbers. The experience of Hyderabad FC’s head coach and players will pay dividends, and I think Hyderabad FC will pinch it 1-0. 

Paul Masefield's predictions 

ATK Mohun Bagan 1-0 Hyderabad FC (AET)(ATK Mohun Bagan win 1-0 on aggregate)

Both teams cancelled each other out in the last match, and did have great opportunities to score goals, but neither of them capitalised. 

The one thing that could help ATK Mohun Bagan is if the fans come out to support them. If they can get around 40 thousand fans there, then that will give them the lift. That won’t faze them because they played the derby a few weeks ago and got the victory. Both sides can win this game, and I can see this going the way of ATK Mohun Bagan. I will go with ATK Mohun Bagan to win 1-0 in extra time.

Related tags:

Hyderabad FC2022-2023 Match 114, ATKMB vs HFC - 2022