Unbeaten Bengaluru faces Mumbai hurdle

After an indifferent start, the host has found its mojo and sits second on the table with 13 points from seven matches. More importantly, Carles Cuadrat’s men are unbeaten and have the best defensive record in the competition.

Bengaluru has conceded just two goals so far and one of them came from a penalty. Mumbai faces a tough task of breaching the Bengaluru backline at the Sree Kanteerava where it is yet to ship in a goal this season. Both goals it conceded came in away matches.

Led by Juanan and ably supported by Albert Serran and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Bengaluru rarely afford opponents a crack at its goal. In fact, it has faced the lowest shots at home (23) in the league.

Whenever the defence has come under pressure, Gurpreet has been sensational in forming the last line of defence.

He was particularly exceptional in Bengaluru’s 1-0 win over Odisha FC in the previous game, pulling off six saves.

“I think Mumbai have a few new players, but the soul of the team is the same. I trust my players and my team to do a good job. We have made it tough for teams to score against us, and we aren’t a good opponent to play against,” said Cuadrat.

While its defence has been exemplary, Bengaluru has struggled in attack. Its forward line has struggled to score goals and has just seven to show for its efforts. In fact, it scored more than one goal in a game just once - in a 3-0 win over Chennaiyin FC.

Jorge Costa’s Mumbai side will bank on Amine Chermiti to trouble the Bengaluru backline. The Moroccan is focal point in attack and has scored four goals this season.