The Islanders are chasing their first win of 2022 as Des Buckingham's Mumbai City are back in action for the second time in 72 hours. Bengaluru FC await the islanders as action returns to the PJN Stadium in Fatorda tomorrow in a 7:30 PM kick off.

Having not won a game since December 15, Mumbai City went into a contest against bottom-placed SC East Bengal looking to return to winning ways. Sitting back, the Red & Gold Brigade proved to be a tough wall to break down as the Islanders kept knocking on the doors. Des Buckingham's side's case was not helped by some questionable officiating from the referee Senthil Nathan S, who chose not to award the Islanders seemingly straightforward penalties on three occasions. With the game ending goalless and both teams sharing a point, the Islanders regained the lead on the top of the table after 10 games, but only just.

Bengaluru FC sit in 9th place after the halfway mark in the league stage, albeit only 7 points off the top of the table - a testament to the competitive nature of the league this season. The Blues, who are now unbeaten in four games, have found their feet in the recent past under head coach Marco Pezzaiuoli and come into tomorrow’s fixture off the back of a draw against SC East Bengal and a six-day break.

The reverse fixture against the Blues was what some might call a pressing masterclass by both sides. Coming in with just a solitary win in the last few games, both Mumbai City and Bengaluru will be desperate for a win. Irrespective of whether it would be all out attack or a case of who blinks first, tomorrow’s encounter promises to be yet another chapter in this feisty fixture.

Team news:

Rowllin Borges and Vikram Partap Singh continue to be on the treatment table for Mumbai City.

Yrondu Musavu-King, Leon Augustine, Sarthak Golui and Jayesh Rane will miss out on the action for Bengaluru FC tomorrow.


Who said what:

Des Buckingham: I'm expecting a very similar game. It was a very tight affair against BFC the last time we played. I think till halftime it was an even game, where Nawaz actually saved a penalty just before, which kept us in the game and allowed us to go on to win it. We had two good goals scored in the second half. They are a good team.

Where to watch it:

The game will kick off at 7.30 pm IST and will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network, Hotstar, and Jio TV for all viewers in India. For our global fans, you can download the OneFootball app, find your broadcaster at indiansuperleague.com/broadcasters or follow all the action LIVE on our official Twitter account - @MumbaiCityFC.

League watch:

8 Jan: ATK Mohun Bagan vs Odisha FC (Postponed)
9 Dec: FC Goa 1-0 Chennaiyin FC (Ortiz 82’)

Fixtures coming up:

9 Jan: Kerala Blasters vs Hyderabad FC (Tilak Maidan; 7.30pm)
10 Jan: Mumbai City vs Bengaluru FC (Fatorda; 7.30pm)