Jamshedpur FC will play hosts to Mumbai City FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex to conclude Matchweek 18 of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on March 8, Friday, at 7:30 pm IST.

The Islanders have a direct shot of going to the top of the table with a win in this match. They are level on points (35) with the first-placed Odisha FC despite playing a game (17) fewer than the Juggernauts (18). The goal difference (14) of both the teams is the same as well.

The Petr Kratky-coached side would aim to build some distance between them and Odisha FC and mount pressure on them once they are back from their International encounters. 

Contrastingly, Jamshedpur FC was handed its first defeat in their last five games when Mohun Bagan Super Giant rolled past them by 3-0 in the last match. The Red Miners are just one point off (20) the sixth-placed Bengaluru FC (21), with both teams playing the same number of league matches (18). They are thus pretty much in the race for qualification and should shelve aside any minor hiccups that arise en route the same.

What’s at stake?

Jamshedpur FC

Jamshedpur FC had produced a breath-taking 3-2 comeback to beat Mumbai City FC on the road in Khalid Jamil’s second ISL game in-charge of the club. In the coming game, they will be eager to record the league double over the Islanders for only the second time in the competition's history.

The Red Miners are getting on a good run of form at home, remaining unbeaten in their last three matches there, which included a 2-1 win over East Bengal FC as well.

The last time Jamshedpur FC had gotten on a longer such stretch was of six games, when they had won and drawn thrice each between February-December 2019.

By all means, the JRD Tata Sports Complex will not be an easy bastion to breach for Mumbai City FC. The Jamshedpur FC offensive unit has gone about a unique way scoring goals, with only 39% of them coming via assists in this current campaign, which is the lowest such share amongst all teams.

They have been prolific from set-pieces, composed whilst converting penalties and slotting in rebounds as well, making it difficult for the opposition to crack and overcome the challenges that they put forth.

Mumbai City FC

Interestingly, Mumbai City FC has not kept a clean sheet in any of its last 13 clashes with Jamshedpur FC. However, they have been on a good run on the road lately, winning each of their previous three away fixtures, and scoring at least a goal in all of those games.

In fact, the last time they went on a longer streak like this was when they won eight straight away matches from October 2022-February 2023.

The Islanders arguably like to get a grip over the proceedings right from the offset. They have scored the first goal in 11 out of the 17 matches that they have played in the current campaign, which ties league leaders Odisha FC in this regard.

However, they must be wary of the resolve that Jamshedpur FC showed in overturning that lead the last time these two sides faced and hence the visitors will have to be on top of their game throughout the course of 90 minutes.

Key Players to Watch Out

Jeremy Manzorro (Jamshedpur FC)

Since the start of 2024, Jeremy Manzorro (+3.65 xG value) has recorded the best differential between expected goals (1.35) and actual goals scored (5) in the ISL.

The French playmaker has been the architect of the turnaround that Jamshedpur FC has been able to inspire lately. With five goals and an assist, he has been critical in connecting the midfield to the frontline, setting the tempo of the game, carving out spaces for his forwards to optimise in the final third, and also being their main man from set pieces.

Manzorro has averaged 49 passes at 79% accuracy per game. He has made four interceptions, earned 38 fouls, taken nine out of his 16 shots on target, and created 25 goal-scoring opportunities. He will have to sustain this form or even elevate his performances to help Jamshedpur FC make it to the playoffs this time around.

Bipin Singh (Mumbai City FC)

Bipin Singh has notched 11 assists in the ISL, and he is one away from becoming the player to record the second most assists for Mumbai City FC in the top-tier.

Both of the goals that he has set up this season have come via crosses, with Jamshedpur FC’s Nikhil Barla being the only player to notch more such assists in this campaign.

Overall, Bipin has scored thrice and assisted once so far this season. He has won three aerial duels, earned four fouls, and averaged 19 passes per game at 82% accuracy, with 77.7% of his shots landing on target this year.

Bipin has created nine goal-scoring opportunities as well, and has often taken his game to a higher level when the stakes are high for Mumbai City FC. 

Read More

Head-to-Head

Played – 13

Jamshedpur FC – 6

Mumbai City FC – 4

Draws – 3

Trivia: Jamshedpur FC’s Daniel Chima Chukwu is averaging six touches inside the opposition box per game since the start of 2024, the joint second highest such aggregate for any player in the competition in this span (Manvir Singh – 6.8).

Team Talk

“We are not thinking about the last game we played with them, because it was not up to the mark. This is our home ground. They are a good side, so we cannot take things lightly,” Jamshedpur FC head coach Khalid Jamil said in the pre-match press conference.

“We were the better team (against Punjab FC) in my opinion. The boys did well and again, they showed their character, especially in the second half and the belief in how we want to play and score goals,” Mumbai City FC head coach Petr Kratky reflected on their 3-2 win over the league debutants in their previous game.

ISL Fantasy

Jeremy Manzorro (4.6cr)

Has recorded six goal contributions this season

Vikram Pratap Singh (3.5cr)

Has logged +1.87 xG value in ISL 2023-24

Daniel Chima Chukwu (5.2cr)

Has taken 3.5 shots per game from inside the box this season

If not registered already, fans can participate in the overall league or club-based leagues based on their preferences. Create private leagues, inviting friends and fellow football aficionados to compete. Prizes include a Sony PlayStation ®️ ️5 gaming console, EA Sports FC 24, signed club merchandise, and a Gift Card worth INR 20,000, which will be awarded to 100 winners at the end of the season. Sign up at: https://fantasy.indiansuperleague.com/

Where to Watch

Fans across the country can catch the action in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam. Fans can watch the action on linear channels like Sports18 Khel (Hindi), Sports18 1 HD (English), Sports18 3 SD (English, Hindi, Malayalam and Bengali), VH1 SD & HD (English), Surya Movies (Malayalam), News 18 Kerala (Malayalam – select matches) & DD Bangla (Bengali). Fans can also catch the action streaming Live for free on JioCinema, the home of Indian football. In addition to this, as part of FSDL’s partnership with OneFootball, ISL live streams and highlights of all matches of the upcoming 2023-24 season will be delivered across more than 190 countries.

Related tags:

Jamshedpur FCMumbai City FC2023-2024 Match Report