Indian Super League 2018-19: ATK challenge awaits in-form Mumbai City FC

In-form Mumbai City FC will look to register its fourth consecutive this season when it takes on former champions ATK in an Indian Super League game here on Saturday.

At present, Mumbai are on the third spot in the standings with four wins, one draw and two losses.

On the other hand, the season has been a mixed bag one for two-time champions ATK, who are on the sixth position with three wins and as many losses and one draw.

After their 0-5 hammering by FC Goa in an away match, Mumbai bounced back in style by registering three consecutive wins against Delhi Dynamos FC (2-0) at home, Chennaiyin FC (1-0) and North-East United FC (1-0), both away matches.

The coveted ISL title has eluded Mumbai since the first season and head coach Jorge Costa and his men would be keen to stay among the top four teams.

ATK also come into the game after their 1-0 victory against Pune City FC in Kolkata and they would be hoping to continue the winning streak.

Uruguayan striker Emiliano Alfaro, who has been brought as a replacement for injured Kalu Uche, will surely boost ATK's chances.

The fans can expect an action-packed evening as football returns to the Mumbai Football Arena in suburban Andheri, nearly after a month.

SQUADS: This season, Mumbai boasts of formidable players both in defense and attack.

With defenders like Romanian Lucian Gohain, Congo's Arnold Issoko and Subhasish Bose, it will be a difficult task for the ATK strikers to breach Mumbai's wall.

And for the hosts, the role of custodian Amrinder Singh will be crucial. Amrinder, one of the experienced goal-keepers in the county, would strive hard to keep a clean slate.

Mumbai also posses equally good mid-fielders like Modou Sougou (Senegal), Md Rafique, Sanju Pradhan, Raynier Fernandes among others and forwards like Brazilian striker Rafael Bastos.

For ATK, a lot will depend on how the trio of Manuel Lanzarote, Everton Santos and Alfaro team up and attack the Mumbai goal.

FORM: Mumbai had somewhat of a mixed start to the season during which time they lost two, won one and drew one matches. Jorge Costa's men their fifth match of the season against Delhi Dynamos FC and have been on a roll ever since. Since then, they have won against Chennaiyin FC and NorthEast United FC. 

Mumbai City FC have scored seven goals from 27 shots on target. They have the passing accuracy of 65.63 per cent and have kept four cleansheets.

Two-time champions ATK have had an inconsistent start to their season, winning three, losing three and drawing one of their seven fixtures. Steve Coppell's men will be eager to prove their mettle and put in a good performance against an in-form Mumbai side. 

ATK have scored seven goals from 27 shots on target. They have the passing accuracy of 63.39 per cent and have been able to keep just one cleansheet.

SQUADS: Mumbai's defence, led by Lucian Goian and Subhasish Bose, has been a big reason in their turn of fortunes. They managed cleansheets in their last three matches. The combative approach of Sehnaj Singh and Milan Singh in the midfield also adds a layer of security to Mumbai's defence. As for the teeth upfront, Mumbai managed just three goals in their first four matches but the Modou Sougou-Arnold Issoko duo have scored five of Mumbai's seven goals so far. 

ATK recently lost their star striker Kalu Uche because of an injury. The forward has gone back to Barcelona for treatment and will not be available until January at least. The team management acted quickly to rope in Emiliano Alfaro on a loan deal from Pune, but even the Uruguayan seems to have picked up an Achilles injury of his own and might be sidelined for some time.

With both Uche and Alfaro out, ATK will be looking at Manuel Lanzarote and Balwant Singh to provide the goals against a strong Mumbai defence.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Mumbai and ATK have faced each other 10 times with both winning four games each.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS:

Mumbai City FC: Amrinder Singh (GK), Sauvik Chakrabarti, Joyner Lourenco, Lucian Goian, Subhasish Bose, Sehnaj Singh, Paulo Machado (C), Milan Singh, Modou Sougou, Arnold Issoko, Rafael Bastos

ATK: Arindam Bhattacharja (GK), Aiborlang Khongjee, Andre Bikey, John Johnson, Ricky Lallawmawma, Pronay Halder, Gerson Vieira, Everton Santos, Komal Thatal, Manuel Lanzarote (C), Balwant Singh