ISL: Chennai, Mumbai hope to bounce back from defeats

Chennai, Oct 27 (IANS) Approaching their fourth match on the back of defeats in their previous games, Chennaiyin FC and Mumbai City FC will aim to return to winning ways when they face-off in an Indian Super League (ISL) match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here Tuesday.

Hosts Chennai suffered their first loss of the tournament, going down 1-4 away against Delhi Dynamos while Mumbai succumbed to their second defeat 0-2 at home against NorthEast United FC.

League standings suggest that Mumbai, currently sixth among eight teams with three points, are in greater need to log full points from the outing but Chennai will also be keen to jump to the second spot with a win, behind leaders Atletico de Kolkata.

The visiting team, in all likelihood, will be bolstered by the presence of 'marquee' player Nicolas Anelka and the return of injured captain Syed Rahim Nabi.

Anelka, the celebrated French striker, sat out the first three matches due to suspension and could make his much-awaited debut in the ISL.

His presence will undoubtedly add a new dimension to the Mumbai attack and it will be a big test for the Chennai defence, which has conceded six goals so far, despite having former Arsenal and Manchester United player Mikael Silvestre in their ranks.

Their defensive worries apart, they will depend heavily on captain Bojan Djordjic for their offensive play.

The Swede has displayed excellent ball control and distribution to become his team's influential playmaker and his best efforts are needed to supplant the good work of Brazilian 'icon' Elano, who has scored in all three games so far.

Elano's intelligent movements will be closely monitored by central defender Manuel Friedrich and whoever wins the offensive battle between these two attack-minded teams could well decide the outcome of the match.