Match 66 of the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2019-20 will see Hyderabad FC host Mumbai City FC at the G.M.C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium in Hyderabad on Friday. Winless in 10, Hyderabad have endured a disappointing campaign, crashing out of the top four race early, and will mostly be playing for pride. The stakes for Mumbai, however, will be much higher since a victory in the fixture will get them back inside the top four, following Odisha’s loss to Bengaluru on Wednesday.

In the reverse fixture between the two in late-December, Mumbai managed to nick all three points and will back themselves to repeat the feat this time as well.

Hyderabad FC

Hyderabad FC have struggled throughout the campaign and currently find themselves rooted to the bottom of the table with just five points from 13 outings. If they sustain with their current average of 0.38 points per match, Hyderabad would end up with just seven points from 18 matches – two less than Chennaiyin FC’s tally of nine points from last season - which is currently the lowest tally at the end of the league phase in the history of the competition. A failure to win any of their next five matches, meanwhile, would see them finish the season with the lowest number of wins recorded by any team in a single Hero ISL season.

Defensive frailties have been a major reason behind these disappointing statistics, with the club still without a clean sheet and with the worst defensive record this term. Should they keep conceding at the same rate of 2.38 goals per match, Hyderabad will end the season with 42 goals against them – five more than the current worst tally.

Mumbai City FC

After a somewhat disappointing run of games, the Islanders returned to winning ways with a comfortable win over defending champions Bengaluru FC in their last match. The win was a crucial one as it not only took them closer to the top four, but also prevented one of their top four rivals from getting points. Against Hyderabad, Jorge Costa and Co. will be aiming for a win, which will take them back into the back four – a spot they lost to Odisha FC a couple of gameweeks back.

Despite losing in their last match on the road to Odisha, Mumbai still have the best away record in the division. They’ve won thrice and lost just once in seven away matches so far. Those numbers will be especially concerning for Hyderabad, as they’ve managed to win just once in seven home matches – the fewest tally in the division.

To further strengthen Mumbai’s case for a win, striker Modou Sougou seems to be back to his best as he grabbed his third goal in four matches in the win over Bengaluru. The Islanders forward was also the chief architect in his side’s 2-1 win over Hyderabad in the reverse fixture earlier in the season, making him one of the players to watch out for on Friday.

Probable line-ups:

Hyderabad FC: Kamaljit Singh (GK), Matthew Kilgallon, Sahil Panwar, Gurtej Singh, Asish Rai, Nikhil Poojary, Rohit Kumar, Nestor Jesus Benitez, Adil Khan, Marcelo Pereira, Bobo

Mumbai City FC: Amrinder Singh (GK), Pratik Chaudhari, Mato Grgic, Subhasish Bose, Sarthak Golui, Diego Carlos, Mohamed Larbi, Rowllin Borges, Sourav Das, Amine Chermiti, Modou Sougou

Did you know?

• Hyderabad have lost their last 4 matches in a row and are now on a 10-match winless run (8 losses and 2 draws).
• Mumbai are currently the best away side in the league with 12 points. (3 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss out of 7 matches away from home).
• Hyderabad are yet to keep a clean sheet this season.

Live Broadcast Schedule:

Hero ISL 2019-20 Match 66: Hyderabad FC vs Mumbai City FC

Date: January 24 (Friday)

Time: 7:30 PM onwards

Channels: Star Sports Network

Streaming: Hotstar and Jio TV