Mumbai City FC and ATK Mohun Bagan face off as they challenge for the top spot in Match 110 of Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2020-21 at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim in Sunday’s second game, which will also be the last game of the league stage this season. The Islanders took advantage of the Mariners’ 2-2 draw against Hyderabad FC and registered a commanding 6-1 win over Odisha FC in their last match to make Sunday’s tie a crucial one.

Hero ISL 2020-21: Click here to predict where your favourite team will finish this season.

The Islanders need a win and nothing less in order to seal the top spot and consequently claim the League Winners Shield and qualify for the AFC Champions League group stage. Currently second, a victory will take Mumbai City FC level on points against ATK Mohun Bagan on 40 but they will move ahead of the Kolkata-based club on the basis of accumulating more points against them in the league stage. The Islanders have already beaten the Mariners once this season.

Although Mumbai City FC secured a 6-1 win over bottom-placed Odisha FC, they still have kinks in their backline which can be exploited by ATK Mohun Bagan. In fact, Odisha FC scored the first goal of that match before the Islanders ran amok to net six goals and change the complexion of the game. The Islanders have not kept a clean sheet in their last seven matches, and will need to be careful against the likes of Roy Krishna and David Williams.

“It is a game that everyone wants to play. It is going to be an amazing game. We will play to make our dreams come true. We have to be careful having reached this position. We need to enjoy it because we don't get a lot of such games in our careers. We are very excited. We are going to play against a very good team who have done a good job. We need to give our 100% if we want to win the game,” said Mumbai City FC’s head coach Sergio Lobera ahead of the game.

ATK Mohun Bagan, on the other hand, will be disappointed with their result against Hyderabad FC earlier this week as a win would have sealed the top spot for them. They have been solid in the defensive third with just four goals conceded during their run of five wins before the draw. The two goals against Hyderabad FC were due to individual errors and playing against a team that can capitalise on such mistakes, the Mariners’ defenders will need to be careful on Sunday.

However, a positive going into this game will definitely be the improvement of their attacking unit. Led by Roy Krishna, who has 14 goals this season, the side have scored 15 goals during their unbeaten run of six games (5 wins and a draw). During this run that propelled them to the top of the league, the likes of Marcelo Pereira, Williams and Manvir Singh have also chipped in with crucial goals.

“We have to be prepared for winning and not for drawing [which will be enough for them to seal the top spot]. This is a different match, it is like a final, we have to use the experience [of losing in the reverse fixture] for winning. We respect the opponents because we feel that Mumbai City FC have quality players,” said the ATK Mohun Bagan’s head coach Antonio Lopez Habas ahead of the game.

Squads:

ATK Mohun Bagan

Goalkeepers: Arindam Bhattacharja, Avilash Paul, Arsh Shaikh, Surajit Pramanik

Defenders: Tiri, Pritam Kotal, Prabir Das, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose, Sumit Rathi, Salam Ranjan Singh

Midfielders: Pronay Halder, Javier Hernandez, Edu Garcia, Carl McHugh, Lenny Rodrigues, Jayesh Rane, Regin Michael, Sahil Sheikh, N Engson Singh, Samuel Lalmuanpuia

Forwards: David Williams, Roy Krishna, Manvir Singh, Md. Fardin Ali Molla, Komal Thatal, Marcelo Pereira

Mumbai City FC

Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Nishit Shetty, Vikram Singh, Phurba Lachenpa

Defenders: Amey Ranawade, Valpuia, Mourtada Fall, Mehtab Singh, Mandar Rao Dessai, Tondonba Singh, Mohamad Rakip

Midfielders: Ahmed Jahouh, Bidyananda Singh, Bipin Singh, Hernan Santana, Raynier Fernandes, Rowllin Borges, Hugo Boumous, Cy Goddard, Asif Khan, Jackichand Singh, Vignesh Dakshinamurthy, Vikram Partap Singh, Pranjal Bhumij

Forwards: Adam Le Fondre, Bartholomew Ogbeche

Live Broadcast Schedule:

Hero ISL 2020-21 Match 110: Mumbai City FC vs ATK Mohun Bagan

Date: February 28 (Sunday)

Time: 7:30 PM onwards

Channels: Star Sports Network

Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar and Jio TV