Bengaluru FC will lock horns with Mumbai City FC in the second leg of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) first semi-final at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, in Bengaluru, with both clubs eyeing a place in the final on Sunday.

Simon Grayson’s men have a 1-0 lead going into the second leg thanks to a late strike from Sunil Chhetri in the first leg at the Mumbai Football Arena that proved to be the difference between the two teams. It’s all or nothing for Mumbai City FC, and the League Shield winners will be aiming to bounce back after losing their last three games.


Hero ISL experts Paul Masefield, Phil Brown and Erik Paartalu have taken up the challenge once again and predicted how the semi-final tie will unfold.

Paul Masefield’s prediction

Bengaluru FC 0-1 Mumbai City FC (1-1 on aggregate after extra time, Bengaluru FC wins on penalties)

It is going to be a really interesting game. Mumbai City FC created a lot of opportunities in the first half (of the first leg), and could've taken the lead or probably should've taken the lead. However, Bengaluru FC showed resolve and dropped down to make it defensively solid. Every single player was magnificent for Bengaluru FC in that first leg. I think Mumbai City FC looked a little bit rusty purely because they had a couple of weeks off. So I think that game and only trailing by one goal could be a very dangerous scoreline even though the game is in Bengaluru.

I see Mumbai City FC going all out; they'll hit the target this time and will at least score a goal. Bengaluru FC haven't been behind in the ten games that they have won on the bounce. So, if they do go behind it's going to be very interesting to see how they react and whether or not they can get themselves back into the game.

I see this one going into the extra time and possibly penalties. But I can't see Mumbai City FC coming out on top. Maybe 1-0 in favour of Mumbai City FC and it goes to penalties. And then I think Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is going to be the man who will save the penalties. So I can see Bengaluru FC going through on penalties.

Phil Brown’s prediction

Bengaluru FC 2-2 Mumbai City FC (Bengaluru FC wins 3-2 on aggregate)

I think it will be a feisty encounter. Bengaluru FC obviously taking a 1-0 scoreline into the game, but I think this game is going to end up in a draw. There will be goals in it. If Mumbai City FC go in front that will be the first time in ten games that Bengaluru FC will have gone behind.

I'm predicting a 2-2 scoreline. I thought there was enough to admire in the final third (in the first leg) where both teams were concerned. I don't think Bengaluru FC will be playing too defensively at home. I think they will be playing counter-attacking football as they'll have to satisfy the home fans to a certain extent.

But in the battle of the British coaches, there is a very experienced coach in Bengaluru's dugout - Simon Grayson. I think he'll have enough say to just scrape through. So I'm going to say 2-2 draw, Bengaluru FC win 3-2 on aggregate.

Erik Paartalu’s prediction

Bengaluru FC 0-1 Mumbai City FC (1-1 on aggregate after extra time, Bengaluru FC wins on penalties)

The game will start with Mumbai City FC controlling the ball and finding spaces out wide. But much like the first game, Bengaluru FC’s defence will be on top.

I think somewhere there will be a chink in that defence from relentless pressure from Mumbai City FC.
The game will go to penalties and the big frame of Gurpreet Singh Sandhu will stop one, possibly two penalties and do just enough to slip into the Hero ISL final.

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