Mumbai City FC welcome Chennaiyin FC at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai for their first home game of the season on Matchday 13 of the 2015 Hero Indian Super League (ISL). The hosts have picked up just one point from their opening two games so far and will be aiming for a repeat of the performance in their first home game last season when they brushed aside FC Pune City 5-0.Chennaiyin FC, on other hand, will be looking to keep their winning momentum going. After successive defeats in their opening two encounters, the Super Machans were back with a bang during their last game against FC Goa where they ran away as comprehensive winners scoring four and conceding none in the process.Sunil Chettri vs Bernard MendyThe return of Sunil Chhetri will act as a much-needed boost to Mumbai as they look for their first win of the season. India’s all-time leading goal scorer is sure to bring a cutting edge to Mumbai’s attack. With loads of experience at the highest level and an eye for goal, his presence in the Mumbai side offers them another attacking outlet in an already attack heavy side that features the likes of Nicolas Anelka, Frederic Piquionne and Singam Subash Singh.After a shaky start to Season 2 of the Hero ISL, Bernard Mendy was back to his best in Chennai’s last outing against Goa. The veteran defender marshalled his troops brilliantly and looked in complete control of the game at the back. Mendy has made 13 clearances and has a stunning passing accuracy of 84% which justifies head coach Marco Materazzi’s faith in him.Sony Norde vs ElanoOne of the brightest sparks of Mumbai’s campaign so far, Sony Norde has looked lively on the left side of Mumbai City FC’s attack. The Haitian loves to cut in from the left and get his shot away. His blistering pace allows him to terrorize opposition defences as he did against Kerala Blasters FC in Mumbai’s last game when he went past his marker to put in a low ball into the box only for Piquionne to hit the woodwork. Norde has attempted more crosses than other players on his team so far (12) and is capable of finding the back of the net himself.After two disappointing outings in the blue of Chennai,Elano came to life in the Super Machans’ last game against Goa. The Brazilian looked like a man on a mission carving open the Gaurs defence with effortless ease. It was his assist that led to Mendoza’s first two goals while he himself found the back of the net for Chennai’s second. The veteran playmaker has already provided two assists and two goals for Chennai in Hero ISL 2015.Frantz Bertin vs Jayesh RaneFrantz Bertin was given the responsibility of leading Mumbai in their first two games and the Frenchman answered his team’s call by putting in stellar defensive displays for his side, earning one of the few clean sheets seen in Hero ISL 2015. His judicious use of the ball from the back hasn’t gone unnoticed. He has completed 93 of his attempted 106 passes so far, giving him a passing accuracy of 88%.It will be a special occasion for Jayesh Rane as he returns home to Mumbai in the Chennaiyin blue. The Mumbai-born striker has been impressive in his two outings for the southern-outfit so far and will be hoping for a perfect homecoming. Rane has looked lively at the top of Chennai’s attack and has already contributed to his team with an assist.Mumbai’s clash against Chennai promises to be a blockbuster encounter with an abundance of attacking talent on both sides. Mumbai’s French duo of Piquionne and Anelka pose massive threats coming off the bench which just goes to show their strength in depth. Piquionne has already scored a goal this season and was unlucky not to get his second in Mumbai’s last game against Kerala.Chennai, on the other hand, will fight fire with fire with the likes of Fikru and Stiven Mendoza in their ranks. Mendoza seems to have hit top gear in an encore of his performances last year. The pacey Colombian was involved in all of Chennai’s goal in their last game, while Fikru acts as the perfect ace up Chennai’s sleeve, capable of coming off the bench and having a say in the outcome of the match.Quotes:Psychologically, we need to look forward to our first game at home tomorrow, win and change the tendency of not winning games. From the first two games, there are quite a lot of positives. So now we don’t have time to look back, we have time only to look forward: Mumbai City FC assistant coach Oscar BruzonI think that if our players are not focussed, the game is going to be difficult. The time when you think you’re better than the opponents is precisely the time when begin to lose. This year, we had to start from zero. What I want from my players is to show maturity and win the next game: Chennaiyin FC coach Marco MaterazziSquads:Mumbai City FC: Subrata Pal, Albino Gomes, Debjit Majumder, Kinshuk Debnath, Darren O’Dea, Pavel Čmovš, Keegan Pereira, Lalchhuanmawia Fanai (Chhuantea), Frantz Bertin, Rowilson Rodrigues, Airtor Fernandez Lopez, Gabriel Fernandes, Juan Aguilera Nunez, Brandon Fernandes, André Francisco Moritz, Selim Benachour, Cristian Bustos, Sarang Singh, Pratesh Shirodkar, Sampath Kumar Kuttymani, Ashutosh Mehta, Singam Subash Singh, Nicolas Anelka (Marquee & Manager), Sony Norde, Sunil Chhetri, Frederic PiquionneChennaiyin FC: Karanjit Singh, Nidhin Lal, Apoula Edel Bete, Éder Monteiro Fernandes, Justin Stephen, Bernard Mendy, Abhishek Das, Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte, L. Dhanachandra Singh, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Mailson Alves, Alessandro Potenza, Dhanpal Ganesh, Elano Blumer (marquee player), Godwin Franco, Thoi Singh, Harmanjot Khabra, Raphael Augusto, Bruno Augusto Pelissari de Lima, Zakeer Mundampara, Manuele Blasi, Fikru Teferra Lamessa, Jayesh Rane, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Balwant Singh, John Stiven Mendoza Valencia(The match starts 1900 IST and will be telecast on Start Sports 1/HD1/2/HD2/3/HD3)
