Mumbai City FC are all set to take on Odisha FC at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar as the two teams battle it out in the reverse fixture, for bragging rights in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Thursday.

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw in their previous encounter which was played in Mumbai in October, but with the competition intensifying, they will have their eyes on all three points in the forthcoming encounter.

Odisha FC, buoyed by consecutive wins, will look to make it three on the bounce, while Mumbai City FC are aiming to extend their unbeaten run against Odisha FC to seven games in the competition.

Odisha FC’s resurgence at home

•⁠ ⁠Goal-scoring Streak: Odisha FC have found the back of the net in each of their last 10 home games in the ISL. A goal in this fixture will equal their record of scoring in 11 consecutive home matches, set between December 2019 and December 2022.

•⁠ ⁠Clinical Edge in Attack: With 23 goals this season from an expected goals (xG) total of 12.68, Odisha FC boast the highest xG differential (+10.32) in the league, reflecting their exceptional finishing ability.

Mumbai City FC’s defensive discipline

•⁠ ⁠Unbeaten Streak: Mumbai City FC are unbeaten in their last six games against Odisha FC (W4 D2). Only against FC Goa (13 games) and Chennaiyin FC (9 games) do they have a longer active streak.

•⁠ ⁠Bipin Singh's Impact: Bipin Singh has an outstanding record in this fixture, contributing to nine goals (7 goals and 2 assists), which is the highest by any Mumbai City FC player against a single opponent in ISL history.

Head-to-Head Record

In 11 ISL encounters, Mumbai City FC have won six matches, whereas Odisha FC have emerged victorious thrice. Two matches resulted in a draw.

Coaches Corner

“We will play as per our strengths”

Odisha FC head coach Sergio Lobera expressed that the Juggernauts will stay true to their playing philosophy and will not be swayed by Mumbai City FC’s strengths.

Read more from the Odisha FC pre-match press conference here.

“We know our style of play. We know our strengths and we have to play according to that. If we don’t do that, we won’t be strong. The team is ready for tomorrow’s game,” Lobera said.

“Need to find a way to stop Odisha FC’s goals”

Mumbai City FC head coach Petr Kratky quipped that they need to be defensively strong to halt Odisha FC’s goal-scoring spree.

Read more from the Mumbai City FC pre-match press conference here.

“Odisha FC have scored 10 goals in their last two matches. We need to find a way to stop this. Because they have found a way to out-score the opposition. We have to stay true to our style of play too,” Kratky said.

Key Players & Milestones

•⁠ ⁠Odisha FC’s Diego Mauricio has recorded five goal involvements in his last two ISL games and remains a potent threat against Mumbai City FC. The Brazilian forward has been instrumental for Odisha FC, contributing to three goals in his last three starts against Mumbai City FC and registering multiple goal involvements in his last two outings.

•⁠ ⁠Odisha FC’s Mourtada Fall’s defensive solidity will be vital in countering Mumbai City FC’s attacking threats, especially in set-piece situations. Fall has been a rock at the back for Odisha, making six or more clearances in five games this season, which is the joint-most by any player along with Stephen Eze. His ability to neutralise aerial threats will be critical.

•⁠ ⁠Mumbai City FC’s Nikolaos Karelis has been involved in a league-high 10 big chances this season, but his conversion rate remains a concern, having missed six of them. A sharper finish could make him a key player in this clash.

ISL Fantasy

Mourtada Fall (6cr)

The Odisha FC defender has earned the highest fantasy points (69) in his team this season

Mehtab Singh (5.5cr)

The Mumbai City FC star has bagged the most ISL fantasy points (56) in his side in the current campaign

Indian Super League is being streamed live free on JioCinema (English, Hindi, Bengali and Malayalam) and telecast live on Sports 18 — 3 (English, Hindi, Bengali and Malayalam), Asianet Plus (Malayalam). Additionally Sports 18 — 1, Sports 18 — 2 and Sports 18 — Khel is also telecasting select ISL matches LIVE. Starting December 2024, Star Sports 3 will also telecast select ISL games.