New Delhi: Delhi Dynamos will be eyeing the top spot in the Indian Super League (ISL) as they take on inconsistent Mumbai City FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Friday.
Delhi are tied on points with FC Pune City on points (13 each) at the top of the table but have one match in hand.
Unlike the last season when Delhi finished fifth, they are a well-balanced and impressive unit this time with three away wins out of five they have played so far. Their defence has been rock-solid with former Liverpool legend John Arne Riise marshalling the back-four nicely along with Anas Edathodika and the home side has conceded just six goals - the best among the eight teams - in seven games.
At the same time Delhi are unbeaten in two matches they have played at home and will be looking to turn the JLN stadium into a fortress with hat-trick of wins on home soil.
On the other hand, the visitors suffered a heavy defeat in their last match at home against Atletico de Kolkata and will look to bounce back against Delhi, who they have already defeated 2-0 earlier in the season.
Currently Mumbai are placed seventh with 10 points from seven matches but a win on Friday will see them go equal on points with Delhi.
Next week, Mumbai will miss three of their players, including stars Sunil Chhetri and Sony Norde, both of who will be away on international duty. So that also makes the clash against Delhi Dynamos a must win for them if they have to qualify for the top four.
Chhetri has taken the ISL by storm in his first season - having struck six times in five appearances. He is currently tournament's top goal scorer along with Chennaiyin FC's Stiven Mendoza. He also scored both the goals for Mumbai in his side's 2-0 win over Delhi in Mumbai.
A day before the match, Delhi Dynamos marquee coach and player Roberto Carlos was pretty confident of going all clear on the top but was wary of the quality Mumbai have in their squad.
"Mumbai City is a good team but our goal is to get above Pune. It’s important for us to win and stay at the top," Carlos said on Thursday.
On paper Delhi look a much more balanced side but it may end up in a battle between between Mumbai City FC's attack vs Delhi Dynamos's defence.
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