Bengaluru FC vs Mumbai City FC Prediction: Bengaluru are not in best of forms

Bengaluru FC will welcome Mumbai City FC in Gameweek 9 of the Indian Super League at Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Bengaluru have not performed well in this season and Mumbai will be a tough task even at home. Who will win? 

Bengaluru has grappled with challenges on both offensive and defensive fronts since the commencement of the current Indian Super League season. With eight matches played so far, the Blues have secured just one victory, which occurred in the initial week of October against East Bengal.

Despite their overall struggles, Bengaluru has maintained a commendable home record. Over the past five fixtures at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, they experienced only one defeat, facing Odisha, while managing two wins and two draws in the remaining matches.

In their recent three encounters, Bengaluru has settled for consecutive draws against NorthEast United, Hyderabad, and Punjab. Furthermore, they find themselves in a five-match winless streak in the league.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Robin Yadav, Aleksandar Jovanovic, Shankar Sampingiraj; Roshan Naorem Singh Suresh Singh Wangjam, Javi Hernandez, Keziah Veendorp, Halicharan Narzary; Curtis Main, Sunil Chhetri

Securing victories against NorthEast United, Kerala Blasters, and Punjab, coupled with draws against Odisha and Hyderabad, has allowed the Islanders to accumulate 11 points, positioning them comfortably in fifth place with an opportunity to ascend further in the league standings.

In their most recent ISL match against Punjab, Mumbai City emerged victorious with a 2-1 win. Greg Stewart and Jorge Pereyra Diaz contributed two goals for the Islanders in the second half. With five matches played in the current season, Mumbai City is looking to maintain their positive momentum.

Yoell van Nieff will be unavailable for Mumbai City's match at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. The defensive midfielder received a red card in October during the Islanders' triumph over Kerala Blasters. Subsequently, it was disclosed that he faced a three-match suspension, which will conclude after the Bengaluru fixture.

Phurba Lachenpa, Rahul Bheke, Mehtab Singh, Tiri, Akash Mishra; Lalengmawia Ralte, Rostyn Griffiths, Greg Stewart; Vikram Partap Singh, Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Bipin Singh

Bengaluru and Mumbai City have faced off in the ISL on 20 occasions. Among the 14 fixtures, only one ended in a draw during the 2018 edition of the league. The Islanders have been dominant in recent encounters, holding a 7-6 lead in the overall head-to-head record.

Recalling their last ISL meeting, fans still reminisce about the two legs of the semi-final fixture. Sunil Chhetri provided the Blues with a lead in the first leg, and Javi Hernandez doubled the advantage early in the second leg. However, goals from Bipin Singh and Mehtab Singh led the Islanders to force the match into penalties. In the shootout, the Blues emerged victorious after Mehtab missed, following 17 perfect penalties.

The upcoming match at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, where Sunil Chhetri's team excels with strong support from the home crowd, is anticipated to be closely observed. There are rumours of an Australian head coach eyeing Mumbai City, and his attention will likely be focused on how the Islanders perform in this challenging atmosphere.

Our expectation is for the home side to secure a victory with more than 2.5 goals in the contest.