Mumbai City are set to play their final home game of the 2026 Indian Super League season, against a resurgent East Bengal side in flying form. This match is a potential determining game in the title race, with both sides competing at the top of the table.
This will be the only meeting between both sides for the season, but it is a fixture that could define both sides’ season. A win for either team would take them to the top of the table, at least until Mohun Bagan play their fixtures in hand.
Mumbai City
This fixture will be the last time the Mumbai City faithful will get to see their side at the Mumbai Football Arena this season. The side are still unbeaten at home, having won two out of their four games at the Arena this season. However, both have been 1-0 wins. While overall solid, both wins have been uninspiring performances. In the 10 games played by the club this season, they have scored only 10 goals.
The club is in a middle-ground based on this stat, with it being the same goals scored per game average as 13th place Odisha. Defensively though, Mumbai is second-best in terms of goals conceded per game, only behind Mohun Bagan, having only let in 7 goals.
Recent form has not been kind to Mumbai, and has all but derailed the club’s unlikely title push. The past three games have gone without a win, with the Islanders drawing against Jamshedpur and Bengaluru, and losing to FC Goa. While head coach Petr Kratky’s defence-first approach has won the side points, questions have to be asked of the Mumbai attack.
The side has only scored 3 goals in their past 5 games, and none in their past 2 games. Kratky will hope his side are more proficient in front of goal against a solid East Bengal side.
East Bengal
Coming into the fixture, the club have likely been rocked by head coach Oscar Bruzon’s admission that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season. Fans would hope that the move does not disrupt their momentum, which the Red and Gold Brigade have just had a wave of.
Their past game was a 3-0 rout of Odisha, and in their past four games, the side have scored 16 goals, and 3+ goals in all of them. However, 3 out of the 4 games have been against bottom four teams: Mohammedan SC, Chennaiyin, and Odisha.
Oscar Bruzon has employed a 3-back system, and to great effect. The system has relied heavily on East Bengal’s wingers and wing-backs creating overloads in wide areas, and creating chances from wide. The side have been aggressive going forward, creating a number of chances for their forwards to convert.
This is visible with their tally of 25 goals scored in 9 games this season, only two less than their total last season, 27 scored in 24 games. Defensively too, the side have only conceded 8 goals, keeping 4 clean sheets as well.
Team news
Mumbai City come into the game with a slightly better availability record. Young midfielder Franklin Nazareth is most probably injured with a long-term injury, after he went off on a stretcher in the final minutes of the Goa game, following a nasty challenge from Daniel Lalhlimpuia.
Uncertainty still remains on the availability of Jorge Ortiz and Jorge Pereyra Diaz, with Petr Kratky confirming their availability would be determined after the last pre-match training session. Aside from them, the rest of the squad is fully fit.
For East Bengal, defender Anwar Ali still remains a question on his injury status. Winger Naorem Mahesh is also out for the season, as confirmed by East Bengal earlier in the season.
While midfielder Miguel Figueira was set to serve his second game of a two-game-ban following a red card against Bengaluru, news has emerged that East Bengal’s appeal has been successful, and the ban has been reduced. This means the Brazilian is eligible to play against Mumbai.
Head-to-head
In the past 11 games between the sides, the head-to-head stands at 6-2 in favour of Mumbai City, with 3 draws. However, Mumbai City have also never beaten East Bengal at the Mumbai Football Arena, with the 3 games played at the venue between the sides encompassing an East Bengal win, and two draws.
While East Bengal’s win can be since the fixture was the final game in the 2022-23 season with nothing riding on it, it still represents a loss on the record books.
Predicted lineups:
Mumbai City FC:
Phurba Lachenpa (GK), Valpuia, Nuno Reis, Bijay Chhetri, Akash Mishra, Joni Kauko, Puipuia, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Brandon Fernandes, PN Noufal, Jorge Pereyra Diaz.
East Bengal FC:
Prabhsukhan Gill (GK), Jeakson Singh, Anwar Ali, Kevin Sibile, PV Vishnu, Souvik Chakraborty, Saul Crespo, Bipin Singh, Edmund Lalrindika, Youssef Ezzejjari, Miguel Figueira.
Key battles
Bipin Singh vs Akash Mishra
Bipin Singh is a legend of Mumbai City, and is among the greatest players to ever wear the Mumbai City jersey. After his departure for East Bengal, the club also retired the number 29 shirt in his honour. Recently, with Bipin playing on the right side almost as a right-wingback, his form has been solid.
In his past three games, the 31-year-old has two goals and an assist to his name. Aside from the numerical aspect, Bipin has also consistently played dangerous crosses into the box, and supported the winger ahead of him to aid East Bengal’s wide overload.
Akash Mishra, on the other hand, has been a solid presence at left-back. Him and Valpuia as full-backs have been key to Mumbai’s play style. Akash has been defensively decent this season, but the danger that
East Bengal’s wide attacking overload brings is different to what the side have come up against this season. Whether Mishra will be able to defend against the East Bengal right side could determine the flow of the game.
PV Vishnu vs Valpuia
Similar to Bipin against Mishra, Vishnu is also part of the East Bengal wide overload, albeit of the left wing. The winger has been solid from his wing, especially since Bruzon has trusted him with the starting role.
He is likely to start on the left again, playing behind Edmund as a left-wing-back. The game against Odisha was an example of Vishnu’s ability, exemplified by his assist through a drilled ball across the face of goal for Bipin to tap home.
On the other hand, Valpuia might be Mumbai’s best and most consistent player this season. The young full-back has stopped a number of solid wingers already with his defensive skill. The best example of this being his performance against Liston in the club’s 1-0 away win against Mohun Bagan.
However, the East Bengal wide attack is a different prospect, and has seemed more deadly as well in recent weeks. It will be down to both full backs to control the threat.
Youssef Ezzejjari vs Nuno Reis
Ezzejjari has been a solid striker for East Bengal, already scoring 9 goals this season. When he scores, he usually scores a brace, with four braces to his name. Even in the most recent game against Odisha, despite coming on as a second-half substitute, the Spaniard was still able to score two goals.
A big reason for this is him getting into solid positions, and finishing the chances presented to him. Another facet to his game is drawing defenders out of position, enabling late runs by Saul Crespo from midfield.
Nuno Reis, though, has been a composed presence at the back for the Islanders. Since his arrival, he has been an ever-present at the centre of Mumbai City’s defence. His recent partnership with Bijay Chhetri has been a crucial factor behind Mumbai’s recent defensive display as well. However, it will likely be down to him to keep an eye on Ezzejjari, to prevent him from threatening the Mumbai City goal.
When and where to watch the match?
The match will be played on 5 May, and will be played at the Mumbai Football Arena. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM IST. The game will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network, and live-streamed on the FanCode digital platform.
Footy India 