Fan chants in Mumbai have long been synonymous with the spirited chorus that emerges from the famous North Stand at Wankhede Stadium every season. This weekend, however, a new chant will echo; not from the stadium, but from homes, pubs, and screenings of the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) finals.
<img src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2024/may/Football-Fan_e.jpg" alt="Fans set off blue smoke to welcome the Mumbai team in Goa in April" width="1280" height="720" /> Fans set off blue smoke to welcome the Mumbai team in Goa in April
&ldquo;Oh Amcha junoon&hellip; We are the Islanders, and we bleed blue!&rdquo; goes the official chant of the Mumbai City FC (MCFC) who will take on East Coast rivals, Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) in a battle of the table toppers tomorrow.
<h2>Live or nothing Akshay Dutia, 31, chartered accountant</h2>
<img src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2024/may/Akshay-Dutia_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
I&rsquo;ll be travelling to Kolkata with 15 fans from the West Coast Brigade this weekend. We plan to welcome the team bus at the venue with our personalised chants to boost their morale pre-game. This has been our matchday ritual at every game we attend. MBSG are a tough team to analyse and crack. Scottish forward Jason Cummings paired with Anirudh Thapa can be a lethal combination. Hopefully, our head coach Petr Kratky has a plan to tackle that. &nbsp; &nbsp;
Prediction: &nbsp;Mumbai City FC 2&ndash;0 Mohun Bagan Super Giant
<h2>It&rsquo;s coming home Sunetra Mukherjee, 20, biotechnology student</h2>
<img src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2024/may/Sunetra-Mukherjee_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
This fixture is a personal one because it brings out a rivalry between me and my dad. He is an MBSG fan, and I&rsquo;m a loyal MCFC supporter. It&rsquo;s an official vada pav vs rasgulla night for us. On a serious note, this season has been a rollercoaster. From early transfers involving rival teams to managerial hitches along the way, we have somehow managed to come out strong.
<img src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2024/may/Semifinals_e.jpg" alt="Moments from the semi-final against FC Goa" width="1280" height="720" /> Moments from the semi-final against FC Goa
My eyes are on Lallianzuala Chhangte AKA Mizo Flash, and his chemistry with striker Jorge Pereyra D&iacute;az. On the other end, I&rsquo;m praying for a disciplined display of defence, like our previous game with FC Goa in the semi-finals.
Prediction: Mumbai City FC 2&ndash;1 Mohun Bagan Super Giant
<h2>The midfield battle Jayesh Solanki, 19, student</h2>
<img src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2024/may/Jayesh-Solanki_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
We have a strong record against our rivals but MBSG are the table toppers for a reason. It&rsquo;s going to be a showdown of individual encounters. MCFC&rsquo;s Vikram Pratap Singh against the Indian football veteran Shubhasish Bose will be exciting. The deciding factor might be the midfield encounters of Lalengmawia AKA Apuia Ralte against the likes of Joni Kauko and Deepak Tangri. It&rsquo;s going to be a nail-biter. For neutral spectators, it&rsquo;s 90 minutes of pure entertainment.
Prediction: Mumbai City FC 2&ndash;1 Mohun Bagan Super Giant
<h2>A threat down under Shannon Nogueira, 27, teacher and core member, West Coast Brigade official supporters&rsquo; club</h2>
<img src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2024/may/Shannon_e.jpg" alt="" />
With our former head coach Des Buckingham leaving mid-season, we still managed to make it to the finals. As a true-blue Mumbai fan, that&rsquo;s a massive achievement in itself. As for the finals, I&rsquo;m confident the title is ours based on our previous encounters with MBSG where we have emerged victorious almost on every occasion barring the recent shield loss. Their Aussie powerhouse Dimitri Petratos can pose a threat, but I place my faith in our defenders to tackle it well. I usually travel to witness such matches live, but due to personal commitments, I will be heading to a local screening with&nbsp; other supporters.
Prediction: Mumbai City FC 2&ndash;1 Mohun Bagan Super Giant
<h2>Chemistry is key Arundhati Mane, 30, trade analyst</h2>
<img src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2024/may/Arundhati-Mane_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
The rivalry between the coasts isn&rsquo;t recent. Winning the trophy by trouncing MBSG in their own backyard is something every Mumbai fan is secretly looking forward to; especially after losing the shield by a fine margin to them at the same venue earlier this year. The chemistry between defender Rahul Bheke, midfielder Jayesh Rane and forward Chhangte will pave the way to the 18-yard box, and hopefully to the title as well. I&rsquo;m heading to a screening with my fingers crossed and my lucky match-day scarf.
Prediction: Mumbai City FC 2&ndash;0 Mohun Bagan Super Giant
<h2>Catch the grand finale live here</h2>
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Get match-ready
<img src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2024/may/Mcfc-merch_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
&gt;&gt; Wear the badge Flaunt your love for the Islanders with customised phone covers, keychains, and pin badges. LOG ON TO macmerise.com
&gt;&gt; Sing along Find all the latest chants in this handy digital guidebook to get performance-ready for the weekend. LOG ON TO @westcoastbrigade for details
<img src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2024/may/Shirt-MCFC_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
&gt;&gt; Dress for the day Wear your loyalty on your sleeve with a wide range of official Mumbai City FC apparel including sweatshirts, t-shirts and hoodies. LOG ON TO fancode.com
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As Mumbai City FC prepare to take on Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Indian Super League finals tomorrow, city-based fans share their two cents and predictions l

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As Mumbai City FC prepare to take on Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Indian Super League finals tomorrow, city-based fans share their two cents and predictions leading up to the big day

Indian Super League: Will the Islanders rule?

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