Defending champion Mumbai City FC will take on host Jamshedpur FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Saturday, 21st September, 2024. Historically, Jamshedpur FC has struggled in their recent meetings with Mumbai, having won just one of their last four ISL encounters. This is a significant contrast to their earlier dominance, where they claimed five victories in 10 clashes.

Mumbai City FC has shown strong form by remaining unbeaten in their last three away games. This run includes a 2-2 draw against last year’s finalist and current ISL Shield winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant in their opening match of the season and are currently placed seventh in the 13 team tourney. A failure to secure a win in this game could mark the first time since the 2018-19 season that the Islanders under their new skipper Lallianzuala Chhangte will fail to register a win in their first two away fixtures.

Jamshedpur FC on the other hand have a poor home record at home, conceding at least one goal in each of their last nine home games. This streak includes just one win, a worrying trend as they aim to reverse their fortunes. Only Hyderabad FC (11) have a longer active streak without a clean sheet in the competition.

Mumbai City FC Head Coach Petr Kratky hailed the character of his players after their hard-fought draw against the Mariners in the season opener and encouraged them to keep working hard in the face of quality players in the squad and that would reflect in the results soon.

“Character is one of the important things we want in the changing room because there will be hard times during the season. But we have to keep working hard, and our quality will show in the end because I believe we have some quality in the team, which we showed it again,” said Kratky, a Czech professional football coach under whom Mumbai City FC under Navi Mumbai based Rahul Bheke’s leadership had won their second ISL title by defeating Mohun Bagan Super Giant 3-1 last season.

He further added, “I wouldn’t say that playing away from home is a pressure. It’s a challenge that every footballer has to face. At the end of the day, we want fans to enjoy the game tomorrow, but hopefully we win the match,”

Jamshedpur FC Head Coach Khalid Jamil who earlier was associated with ISL franchise NorthEast United FC, boasts an impressive record against Mumbai City FC, having lost only one of his five ISL encounters with the Islanders. However, that defeat came in their most recent meeting, a 3-0 loss in March 2024 during his three month association with the current franchise.
 
“We must believe in ourselves in what we can do. We have to prepare, and we should not be overconfident. The next game is also a big game on our home ground. We have to be prepared, and we must get positive results,” said Jamil, who is the only Indian coach to have guided a team to the ISL playoffs.
 
Key Players
•⁠⁠ Mumbai City FC’s Tiri will be keen to showcase his skills against his former team. The central defender made two interceptions, three recoveries, won four duels along with completing five clearances against the Mariners. He also scored in the 70th minute, displaying his utility upfront like the ex-defender Bheke, after having conceded an unfortunate Own Goal, while clearing a rebound of his custodian nine minutes into the game.

•⁠ Jamshedpur FC’s attacking midfielder Javi Hernandez is now playing for his fifth ISL club, the second most by any foreign player in competition history after Marcelinho (6). He has scored 21 goals, notched 16 assists, and created 1.58 goal-scoring opportunities every game in his 100 ISL appearances. Hernandez will want to hit the ground running against the Islanders.