Any sporting encounter between the cities of Chennai and Mumbai is always a hard fought affair, whether in cricket, hockey, or in football. The Indian Super League sees Chennaiyin FC take on Mumbai City FC. Both teams are owned by Bollywood stars, Chennaiyin by Abhishek Bachchan and Mumbai City FC by Bollywood’s reigning superstar, Ranbir Kapoor. So this is expected to be a match with lots of glamour at the sidelines, as half of Bollywood is expected to be at the stadium cheering for their favorite teams.
Chennaiyin FC began superbly, winning their first three matches, but lost their last match quite heavily – 4 -1 – to the Delhi Dynamos. It has been one of the bigger margins of defeat suffered by any team in the Indian Super League so far. So understandably, the loss has been a jolt to the Chennai team’s confidence.
Mumbai City FC haven’t yet have had a great run in the competition either, having won just one and lost two matches. After a fabulous start, where they destroyed their derby rivals FC Pune, Mumbai City have suffered two successive defeats, including a morale sapping 2-0 loss at the hands of the youngsters of NorthEast United. What made the loss more humiliating was that it happened at their home ground in Mumbai.
Mumbai will be bolstered by the return of their star player Nicolas Anelka. Anelka has been missing in the last two matches, which could explain the losses as his absence robs Mumbai City FC of any attacking intent. Syed Rahim Nabi, who is one of the best defensive players in India is also expected to be back after a prolonged injury layoff.
But Chennai has a superb defense led by Mikael Silvestre and it would be hard for even Anelka to break them down. It would be a massive test for the former French international star striker, who is close to the end of his frustrating career in football.
Chennaiyin have the Brazilian Elano, the youngest of all marquee players in the ISL, who has impressed one and all with his pace, energy and commitment. He has been brilliant in all matches so far, and has already been recognized as perhaps the best player in the whole of ISL. It is rare for foreign players to show the sort of hunger playing for an Indian team as shown by Elano, and he has already become a major fan favourite, not just in Chennai, but all over India.
Mumbai don’t lack in talent, and have the talented midfielder Andre Moritz, who, along with Elano is the highest goal scorer in the tournament so far. But while Elano has scored goals in all matches, Moritz has scored them all in a single one, in the hat trick against Pune FC. His fitness is in doubt as well for this match.
Mumbai City FC have a talented young Indian player in Shubhash Singh, who has a goal to his credit. Manuel Fredrich leads the Mumbai defence and his task would be made easier if the Indian star defender Nabi reports fit for the match. Mumbai’s star player Fredrik Ljunberg has hardly ever featured, making an appearance in the last match, coming out in the second half, only to leave with a thigh injury. It has been frustrating for the Swedish star who was such a prominent part of Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal in the English Premier League.
There really isn’t much to choose between the two sides, but we expect Chennaiyin to nick it because of the fact that they are playing at home and will be well supported.
Our Prediction: Chennaiyin FC 2 Mumbai City FC 1
