Mumbai FC will strive hard to get all important solitary point

Mumbai City FC will look midfielders like Jon Toral, right, to deliver in the crucial away match against Bengaluru FC on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Mumbai City FC will be desperate for the solitary point it needs to qualify for the Indian Super League playoffs when it meets Bengaluru FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Tuesday.

Placed seventh, Mumbai is currently tied with Odisha on 33 points in sixth position, the last knockout berth. With both matches between the sides having ended in draws, Odisha’s superior goal difference (+7 to Mumbai’s -1) will prove decisive if Mumbai loses to BFC.

The host, on the other hand, is sitting pretty, having sealed third spot and thus earned a home tie in the single-legged playoff which will be played later this month.

Though it is equal with NorthEast United FC and Jamshedpur FC on 38 points, BFC has a better head-to-head record against NorthEast and a superior goal difference in the two fixtures with Jamshedpur.

Mumbai come into the match having collected just two points from the last four games. The onus will be on Greek forward Nikos Karelis (nine goals and an assist) and midfielders like Brandon Fernandes, Jon Toral and Yoell Van Nieff to deliver.

With qualification sealed, BFC may ring in some changes, especially with talisman Sunil Chhetri back in the National team and expected to be active over the next couple of weeks playing for India. Testing its bench might be a good idea.