Hyderabad FC and ATK Mohun Bagan are set to face each other for the fifth time this season, as they go head-to-head in the Hero Club Playoff at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode, on Wednesday, with their eyes firmly set on securing a spot in the preliminary round of the AFC Cup 2023-24.

The previous encounters between these two teams have been closely contested and this upcoming match is expected to be another exciting and closely fought game. The Mariners will be on the hunt for a third successive appearance in the AFC Cup, while the Yellow and Blacks would look to earn their first-ever participation at the continental stage.

Form Guide

Hyderabad FC – LDW

Manolo Marquez’s side comes to the fixture on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Odisha FC in their final group stage match of the Hero Super Cup. They finished second in the group, behind the Juggernauts, with four points from three games.

Hyderabad FC finished second in the Hero ISL, before going out to eventual champions ATK Mohun Bagan in the semi-final. 

ATK Mohun Bagan – LLW

ATK Mohun Bagan, on the other hand, are also coming into the match after a group-stage exit in the Hero Super Cup. The Hero ISL champions managed to secure only one victory and finished third in their group.

However, the Mariners had a wonderful outing in the Hero ISL season, clinching their first-ever trophy with a victory against Bengaluru FC in the final.

Head-to-Head Record

In their previous 10 encounters, Hyderabad FC and ATK Mohun Bagan have had two wins and three wins respectively, with five matches ending in draws.

The two teams have faced each other four times in the ongoing 2022-23 season, each winning once, and the other two matches, which were in the semi-final, ending in draws before ATK Mohun Bagan ultimately won in the penalty shootout.

Key Players

Hyderabad FC

Borja Herrera

The versatile midfielder has been integral for Hyderabad FC both in and out of possession, serving as a vital cog in the team in the absence of Joao Victor. With the HFC skipper now back in the side, Herrera will likely have more freedom to play higher up on the pitch.

This season, the 30-year-old scored four goals and notched up five assists in 22 appearances in the Hero ISL.

Odei Onaindia

Onaindia has proven himself as a crucial performer on the pitch during Hyderabad FC’s second-place finish in the Hero ISL campaign.

The Spaniard is known for his defensive prowess and has registered an impressive 94 clearances and 23 interceptions in 21 appearances in the league this season. Additionally, he has made 38 tackles, demonstrating his fearless approach to making challenges.

ATK Mohun Bagan

Dimitri Petratos

The forward was ATK Mohun Bagan’s leading goalscorer in the Hero ISL season and finished third in the goalscoring chart with the same number of goals (12) as Diego Mauricio and Cleiton Silva.

Petratos has also displayed his playmaking ability, creating the most number of goal-scoring chances (61) in the league. He has also notched seven assists in 23 Hero ISL appearances.

There is no doubt that the Mariners will be relying on this man for goals in this crucial fixture.

Hugo Boumous

The 27-year-old has been instrumental for the Mariners this season and has played a vital role in their title-winning Hero ISL campaign, scoring five goals and providing four assists in 20 appearances.

Boumous was only behind Petratos and Greg Stewart in terms of chances created (48) in the league. It was his 11th strike that earned them three points against Hyderabad FC during the league campaign.

Match timings and Telecast details

Match: Hyderabad FC vs ATK Mohun Bagan

Date: May 3, 2023

Venue: EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode, Kerala

Kick-off time: 7:00 pm IST

Telecast: Sony Sports Network 

Online Streaming: FanCode

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Hyderabad FC