Mumbai FC look to end on a high amidst eased relegation fears

by Kaushal Shukla May 30, 2015

Mumbai FC need a point to confirm their I-League status for next season from their final Hero I-League game against Klayani Bharat FC today at Cooperage.

Bharat FC who sit bottom of the table have been excused of relegation for their first three years and hence don’t have the same need for points as Mumbai FC, but new comers too will be looking to end a rather disappointing first campaign on a high note.

Form Guide

Mumbai FC registered their first win in twelve league games in their last game against East Bengal after five straight draws, a result which will be enough for Mumbai FC to remain in the I-League for the next season. Mumbai FC have been doing well defensively after conceding just seven goals in their last eight games. Mumbai FC would want their rearguard to carry that form in today’s game as a clean sheet would do the job for them.

Bharat FC are yet to win an away game in their history and all four of their wins have come at the Balewadi Stadium. The new comers don’t come into the game in the best of forms, having lost their last two games, with the latest one ending in a 5-1 drubbing away to Salgaocar. Bharat FC have won two, drawn two and lost six of their last ten games. Bharat FC will have a tough time opening up the tight Mumbai FC defense with the Pune outfit netting more than one goal on just one occasion all season lon.

What the history holds?

With Bharat FC being a new entrant into the I-League, the duo has crossed swords on just one occasion in the past. Mumbai FC who were the visitors to the Balewadi Stadium earlier this season, ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Josimar and Sampath Kutty Mani.

Team News

Mumbai FC will be without goalkeeper Nidhin Lal who is still not fully recovered from his hand injury. Sampath Kutty Mani also misses out with an illness.

Keys to Success

Khalid Jamil has been stressing the importance of scoring goals since the last week and statistics show he is perfectly right to think like that. Mumbai FC have won 80% of their games this season when they have scored more than one goal in a game.

So in order to stop Mumbai FC from scoring, Bharat FCneed to tighten up at the back and history tells us that Bharat FC does well when their defense is on top. Bharat win 75% of their matches when they keep a clean sheet.