Bengaluru FC, the defending champions, are coming off a 2-0 defeat against Mumbai City FC and will be eager to get back to winning ways. Odisha FC, on the other hand, are on a four-game winning streak which has established them firmly in the top four.
The confidence of two back-to-back wins was evident in how Kerala approached the game in the early stages. The visitors pressed high up the field and their work rate was rewarded in the 11th minute.
The high-voltage clash at the Salt Lake Stadium gained momentum only in the second-half when Pritam Kotal's rising header from a set piece opened it up for the hosts, smarting from their first loss at home to Kerala Blasters in the last round.
Defensive mistakes cost Bengaluru dear and helped Mumbai's cause as Modou Sougou (13th) took advantage of Gurpreet Singh Sandhu's error to give his team the lead.
ATK goalkeeping coach Angel Pindado has been kept under suspension with immediate effect for his part in the incident which occurred during injury time of the match which Kerala Blasters had won 1-0.
Marcelinho (1') gave the hosts an early lead but Aridane Santana (15', 45') netted a brace to help the visitors complete a comeback.
Odisha come to Hyderabad on the back of three consecutive wins that propelled them to fourth on the table. Josep Gombau’s side will know that another victory against bottom-placed Hyderabad FC will see them pull five points clear of the chasing pack.
Narzary took the possession of the ball around the 30-yard mark and surged past the ATK defenders, creating room for himself before slotting it past TP Rehenesh with a powerful right footer in the 70th minute to break the deadlock.
While both Mohun Bagan as well as ATK brass remained non-committal, there remains a strong possibility that an announcement might be on cards by the end of this week.
Despite certain bright spots, including a come-from-behind victory over Kerala at home, Hyderabad have struggled so far this season and are currently rooted to the bottom of the ISL table, with just five points from 12 matches.
After starting the season with away fixtures and then playing a couple in Pune as their home stadium was getting ready, Josep Gombau's team have notched two home wins in a row at the Kalinga Stadium.
A win against NorthEast will fire Goa to the top of the table. But first they must overcome a bunch of players who are desperate for a win as they last won a match more than two months ago.
First-half goals from Jerry Mawihmingthanga (37th) and Vinit Rai (41st) were enough for Josep Gombau's side to make it three wins out of their last four matches.
Bartholomew Ogbeche (33', 75') scored twice in a contest that saw the visitors score the opener through Bobo (14').
A win against Chennaiyin FC can take Odisha to within a point of fourth-placed Mumbai City FC. And with the league entering a decisive phase, Josep Gombau’s side cannot afford a slip-up.
First-half goals from Pronay Halder (29’) and Michael Soosairaj (43’) were enough as Mumbai City were left to rue the chances they missed at the Mumbai Football Arena.
Hyderabad are currently rock bottom with five points from 10 games, while Kerala Blasters have eight points to their name.
Mumbai registered their first 'home win' against laggards Hyderabad FC (2-1) when the two sides met at the Mumbai Football Arena last Sunday, with Modou Sougou scoring a brace.
After a goalless first-half that the visitors dominated, Bengaluru took the lead through captain Sunil Chhetri (59').
The win takes Mumbai to the fourth spot, level on points with defending champions Bengaluru FC with 16 points. Hyderabad remain rooted to the bottom with a mere five points.
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