Bengaluru/Mumbai: Pace-setters Bengaluru FC will need to be at their against Chennayin FC at on Sunday even as defending champions ATK seek to revive their failing campaign against a resurgent Mumbai City FC at the Mumbai Football Arena.
It’s a derby clash as Bengaluru arrive riding on two consecutive away wins while third-placed Chennaiyin have found their footing, stringing together three straight wins before controversially losing to Mumbai City FC last Sunday.
John Gregory’s unit will have to pick themselves up after an acrimonious penalty halted their purple streak, and their manager highlighted to the importance of putting one over their rivals.
“I’m aware it’s a derby. Bengaluru are by far the closest team to us — the flight was only half an hour! There is a bit of local rivalry at stake and I believe we’ll bring some fans from Chennai to the game,” the ex-Aston Villa man said.
Meanwhile, Blues coach Albert Roca has goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu back in his fold following a two-match ban and seeks to see more mature performances from his no. 1. Centre-back John Johnson could also return to the starting line-up.
Sinking champs face Mumbai
Meanwhile, Mumbai City FC host hapless ATK with the visitors rooted to the bottom of the table on two points in four games.
Mumbai will look to capitalise on Kolkata’s shambolic form. Alexandre Guimaraes’ team lost their first two games but they look in much better shape now.
The visitors have conceded seven goals and have managed to hit back with just three. Coach Teddy Shering-ham has pointed out that his side need to develop as a team. “We defend and attack as a team. So, if we have lost two games and drawn two games, we are obviously going to be looking at our defensive qualities.”
