Mumbai City FC, JFC in battle of equals

Mumbai: After back to back losses at home, Mumbai City FC lifted the gloom in the dressing room with thrilling 4-3 away win over FC Goa on Sunday. They will now want to build on it to rejuvenate their campaign in the Indian Super League with another win against first time visitors Jamshedpur FC.

Both sides are similarly placed in the standings and the winners here on Thursday will climb into the top four. Jamshedpur are fifth with 19 points from 13 games while Mumbai are sixth with 17 points with a game in hand.

Like Mumbai, Jamsh-edpur are also here after a 1-0 away win against ATK. Steve Coppell’s side have been compact in defence, conceding just 11 goals in 13 games. Both met at JRD Tata Sports Complex earlier this month and were involved in 2-2 draw.

“You saw how in Jamshedpur we had a 2-2 result. Both teams wanted to win and the same will be true tomorrow. The prize is worth winning and both sides will very much be trying to win,” Coppell said.

Mumbai also have been strong in defence but have conceded 16 goals and six of them in the last two games. However, the good news is they scored four goals against fourth placed FC Goa.

Balwant Singh is the leading scorer with six goals but he has missed far too many chances. Thiago Santos, Leo Costa and Everton Santos will have to lift their game along with Balwant if they want to breach the Jamshedpur wall, with Subrata Paul as the custodian.

Achille Emana has been making most of the moves in the midfield and he will be key again.