Match: FC Pune City v Mumbai City
Date: 3 October, Monday
Time: 9:30pm SGT/7pm IST/2:30pm BST
Venue: Balewadi Sports Club, Pune
Competition: Indian Super League 2016
TV Coverage: There is no TV coverage of the 2016 ISL clash between FC Pune City and Mumbai City in Singapore.
Live Streaming: Hotstar
Overview
FC Pune City host Mumbai City in their Indian Super League 2016 opener at the Balewadi Sports Club on Monday.
The hosts will be boosted by newly-appointed manager Antonio Habas, who successfully lead Atletico de Kolkata to title in 2014 and semi-final in 2015. The Spaniard, known for his work ethics, is expected to help Pune City go the distance.
Pune though suffered a big loss when former Barcelona and Chelsea forward Eidur Gudjohnsen, who signed as their marquee player, was ruled out with an injury. Former Juventus midfielder Mohamed Sissoko has been named as his replacement.
They will also miss Eugeneson Lyngdoh for the initial phase of the season as the Indian midfielder is on 2016 AFC Cup duty with I-League franchise Bengaluru FC. However, the presence of midfielder Arata Izumi, who impressed during his stint with Atletico in the 2015 season, would boost their midfield.
Goalkeeper Apoula Edel, who played a crucial part in Chennaiyin FC's 2015 title-winning campaign, will ply his trade for Pune this season. Argentine footballer Gustavo Oberman and Mexican Anibal Zurdo are likely to lead the frontline for them on Monday. Left-back Narayan Das will also be a vital cog in Habas' plans.
On the other hand, Mumbai City's marquee signing Diego Forlan will grab the spotlight in their season opener. The Uruguay legend will be a dominant presence in the team's front line along with Sony Norde and Cafu.
The visitors have also had a change in management as they have replaced 2015 season's marquee player-coach Nicolas Anelka with Alexander Guimaraes.
However, Mumbai will miss key players in Sunil Chhetri, Lalcchuanmmawia Fanai and Udanta Singh and custodian Arminder Singh, who are with Bengaluru FC.
Anwar Ali and Romanian Lucian Goian are likely to play at the centre of Mumbai's defence on Monday with Sena Ralte and Ashutosh Mehta employed as full backs. Midfielder Jaichand Singh is another promising Indian footballer who Guimaraes can rely on in this season.
Monday's clash will prove to be a tightly-contested tie as the two teams from Maharashtra, who have never made it to the final stages of the tournament, will be hoping for a good start to the new season.
TV Schedule
Australia: Fox Sports 1 Australia
Bhutan: Star Sports 3 Asia
Bangladesh: Star Sports 3 Asia
Cameroon: Fox Sports 1 Africa
South Africa: Fox Sports 1 Africa
Nepal: Star Sports 3 Asia
India: Star Sports 3
UAE: Abu Dhabi Sports 6
Team News
FC Pune City
Possible XI: Apoula Edel; Narayan Das, Eduardo Ferreira, Augustine Fernandes, Rahul Bheke; Jonatan Lucca, Bruno Arias, Arata Izumi, Lenny Rodrigues; Anibal Zurdo, Gustavo Oberman
Mumbai City
Possible XI: Roberto Volpato; Sena Ralte, Anwar Ali, Lucian Goian, Ashutosh Mehta; Pronay Halder, Kristian Vadocz, Matias Defederico, Jackichand Singh; Diego Forlan, Sony Norde
