New Delhi: Atletico de Kolkata and Mumbai City FC will be engrossed in an exciting battle in match No. 54 on Friday in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2015, at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata.
Atletico lie atop in the points table and will want to finish the league campaign as leaders. Victory will see them end at first place ahead of Goa FC or Delhi Dynamos. Delhi's 3-3 draw against Kerala on Thursday, means they will either finish second, third or fourth as their pursuit of top place ended.
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The last time ATK and Mumbai met, it was a 4-1 win for the league leaders.
Kolkata come from a sounding victory in their last match against FC Pune City and it looks like they are the team to beat now after some poor performances in the beginning.
Mumbai City FC meanwhile, stay last in the ISL table and they would want to play for pride. A win will see Mumbai go a place above Kerala in the points table and altogether this will be a match with lots of intensity and fight.
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The Salt Lake will hope to witness an intense 90 minutes of enthralling football given the situation both teams will want to see themseves in. The tactical approach will be the key here as Mumbai will have a huge task of breaking the defending champions' wall.
Interestingly Mumbai have shipped in 13 goals in their last four games.
With Mumbai stranded in Chennai due to rain, fans will hope the game takes place as it will be crucial to witness the players' fitness and focus given this continuous downpour.
We look at players who could make a major impact in the game for both the teams.
Iain Hume (Atletico de Kolkata): Iain Hume has grown as the season has progressed. The Canadian international has nine goals and three assists to his name and will be a pivotal figure for the ATK side. Hume’s pace, aerial abilities and work ethic will be matters of concern for Mumbai as the defenders need to stay on their toes to prevent him from making inroads.
Pavel Cmovs (Mumbai City FC): The experienced centre-half will hold key for Mumbai against Kerala. With a host of clearences to his name so far this season in ISL, Pavel will look to be effective in this dead rubber tie for his side. Pavel has featured in all thirteen games so far and is pivotal in Mumbai's scneario. Pavel also needs support from fellow Mumbai defenders.
