ISL 2024-25: Mumbai City FC Targets Streak Record as Hyderabad FC Relies on Home Advantage

Hyderabad, Feb 18 (NationPress) Mumbai City FC is set to face Hyderabad FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the G.M.C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium on Wednesday. Both teams enter this crucial match with distinct objectives.

Mumbai City FC currently sits in sixth place on the leaderboard with a total of 31 points from 20 matches, having recorded two wins and two draws in their last five contests. Meanwhile, Hyderabad FC finds itself near the bottom in 12th position, accumulating 16 points from 20 games, with four wins and two draws, two of their victories coming in the last four matches.

The Islanders have displayed commendable away form this season, securing four wins and three draws in their last seven away fixtures. A win in this match would allow them to achieve their first league double over Hyderabad FC, thereby making Mumbai City FC the team with the most league doubles (13) against various opponents in the ISL.

However, Mumbai City FC faced a setback recently, losing 1-3 to FC Goa at home. Regardless, under the guidance of Petr Kratky, the team has yet to suffer back-to-back defeats and aims to maintain that record with a positive result in the upcoming match.

Conversely, Hyderabad FC is enjoying a robust home campaign, having won their last two matches at home – 3-2 against Jamshedpur FC and 3-1 against Mohammedan SC.

A third consecutive home win would equal their achievement from October-November 2022, where all victories were by a 1-0 scoreline. In their previous matchup on November 30, 2024, Mumbai City FC narrowly prevailed with a 1-0 win.

Defensively, Hyderabad FC has struggled this season, conceding nine headed goals in 2024-25, which is the highest in the league. They have also recorded the fewest clean sheets (2) in the ISL 2024-25, allowing the most goals (41) among all 13 teams.

Ramhlunchhunga achieved possession four times in the attacking third during their last game against Odisha FC, a joint-high for any player in a single match this season. He has reclaimed possession 17 times in the final third this season, the highest for any Indian player. The 23-year-old has one goal, three assists, and 25 touches inside the opponent’s box.

Mumbai City FC has completed 27.5% of their total passes in the defensive third, the highest ratio in the league (2,502 out of 9,104 total passes), with an impressive 94.6% pass accuracy in this area. This approach has facilitated quick attacking builds from the back.

Mehtab Singh recorded 105 touches in their last match against FC Goa, the fourth-highest for any Indian player in a single ISL game this season. He has surpassed the 100-touch mark three times this season, along with winning 48 duels, executing 90 clearances, and making 98 recoveries.

Hyderabad FC interim head coach Shameel Chembakath remains hopeful about his team’s chances in the upcoming match. “The players are very focused on the match against Mumbai City FC. We have worked hard and hope to deliver a strong performance at home,” he stated.

Mumbai City FC head coach Petr Kratky expressed confidence in his team's capabilities to secure a favorable outcome. “The players have the skill and that has helped us gain vital points throughout the season. However, our priority is to finish as high as possible in the standings,” he remarked.

In their previous 11 encounters, Mumbai City FC has triumphed in four matches, while Hyderabad FC has won two, with five fixtures ending in a tie.