While there are no players on the injured list for Mumbai City, the good news for the islanders is the return of their Tunisian star striker, Amine Chermiti from suspension.
Jorge Costa
Mumbai City FC have been rather inconsistent throughout this ISL season, and if that continues in their last league match against Chennaiyin FC at the Mumbai Football Arena in Andheri today, it could well be their last game for this season.
Currently, Mumbai City are placed fourth in the table with 26 points from 17 matches, while Chennayin are just one point and position apart, on 25 and fifth respectively.
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However, the southerners have a match in hand, so even a draw should be good enough for them to make the top four and qualify for the playoffs.
Mumbai, on the other hand, have to win at all costs to consolidate their fourth playoff spot, and coach Jorge Costa is well aware of this.
"Tomorrow's match is the important game of the season for us. If we win, we'll be inside the top four for sure. I have 90-95 minutes to win this game and I'm sure we will do it. The good thing is that all players are available [for selection]," Costa said at the pre-match press conference on Thursday.
While there are no players on the injured list for Mumbai City, the good news for the islanders is the return of their Tunisian star striker, Amine Chermiti from suspension.
Chennaiyin FC coach Owen Coyle knows his boys have a tough fight on hand. "In terms of fighting for our lives, we have been doing that for three months. When I came to the club, no one gave us a chance. We have been under pressure to win the last 10 games. That's why, we always play to win, and not to draw. Mumbai is a great team with a good coach whom I have huge respect for. But we have worked hard to get here and now we have to finish the job," said Coyle.
Interestingly, Chennaiyin's central defender, Lucian Goian, is a former Mumbai City skipper, having helped them top the 2016-17 league phase. Now, in the opposite camp, he's ready to be equally threatening. "I feel strange coming here as an opponent. For the last two seasons, Mumbai was my home and I have great moments here. But we [Chennayin FC] are very confident and can win against anybody," he said.
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