Jamshedpur FC take on Mumbai City FC in a bid to end their winless streak and top the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2019-20 table at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Thursday.

The hosts are yet to be beaten by the Islanders since their inception into the Hero ISL, while the visitors will be buoyed after their win over defending champions Bengaluru FC in their last match. Although history is not on their side in the fixture, Mumbai are yet to lose a game on the road and will be confident of extending that run.

Jamshedpur FC

Jamshedpur looked a more compact side after the return of Piti, but the absence of Sergio Castel means that the side are still unable to convert many of their chances. The 24-year-old Spaniard has scored 45% of Jamshedpur’s goals this season, and the conversion rate of the side has been affected since his injury.

Jamshedpur’s defence has been leaky as well, having found it unable to hold onto crucial leads, with the latest one being their squandering of a two-goal lead against Kerala Blasters in their last match. Thus, Tiri and Co. will be raring to keep a clean sheet against Mumbai. Head coach Antonio Iriondo will aim to target the defensive frailties in Mumbai’s backline and hope that his side is able to continue their unbeaten streak over the visitors.

Mumbai City FC

Mumbai City clinched a late winner against Bengaluru to continue their unbeaten away run in this season. However, since October, the Islanders have been unable to keep a clean sheet in the league. They must be wary of their leaky defence, having conceded the second-most number of goals this season (15), especially against an attacking Jamshedpur side.

The return of Mato Grgic should have boosted their defence, but the Croatian defender gave away an own goal to Bengaluru and amounted a lesser number of clearances than both Sarthak Golui and Pratik Chaudhari in that match. However, their incredible away form has been their highlight of the season, having amassed nine points in five matches. Their ability to score in the final quarter of the game should prove key against Jamshedpur, with the home side having conceded quite a few goals in the final 30 minutes of the game.

Probable line-ups:

Jamshedpur FC: Subrata Paul (GK), Tiri (C), Joyner Lourenco, Memo Moura, Jitendra Singh, Narender Gahlot, Aitor Monroy, Robin Gurung, Mobashir Rahman, Farukh Choudhary, CK Vineeth

Mumbai City FC: Amrinder Singh (GK), Mato Grgic, Pratik Chaudhari, Subhasish Bose, Sarthak Golui, Sauvik Chakrabarti, Rowllin Borges, Paulo Machado, Modou Sougou, Mohamed Larbi, Amine Chermiti

Did you know?

• Both teams are on a four-match unbeaten run.
• Mumbai haven’t won back-to-back matches this season.
• Jamshedpur are one of the only two clubs to stay unbeaten at home this season so far.

Fan Speak:

Will Mumbai City add misery to Jamshedpur’s dip in form?

Have your say in the comments below.

Live broadcast schedule:

Hero ISL 2019-20 Match 41: Jamshedpur FC vs Mumbai City FC

Time: 7:30 PM onwards, December 19

Channels: Star Sports Network

Streaming: Hotstar and Jio TV