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As we reach the business end of the ongoing edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2020-21, only Mumbai City FC and ATK Mohun Bagan FC look almost certain to make the top four.

Eight other ISL teams are still in the race for the play-offs spots and are currently separated by eight points.

Meanwhile, matchweek 16 kicks off with table-toppers Mumbai locking horns with fifth-placed NorthEast United FC at the GMC Stadium on Saturday. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming fixtures in matchweek 16:

Mumbai City FC vs NorthEast United FC

Under the tutelage of Sergio Lobera, Mumbai City FC have been unbeaten in their last 12 matches in the ISL 7, and they are on the cusp of breaking the record for the longest unbeaten streak. 

Interestingly, the last time Mumbai had lost a game in the league was against NorthEast United in their first game of ISL 2020-21 season.

On the other hand, the Highlanders have turned a corner under interim coach Khalid Jamil as they are on a two-match winning run. 

The Mumbai City FC vs NorthEast United head-to-head record outrightly favors the Islanders as they have won seven of their 13 meetings while the Highlanders have secured four victories. Two of their encounters have ended in a stalemate.

Mumbai City FC vs NorthEast United FC head-to-head
Mumbai City FC Metrics NorthEast United FC
13 Matches 13
7 Wins 4
2 Draws 2

Along with FC Goa, Mumbai have scored the maximum goals in the ongoing league (19) while also conceding the least number of goals (5) in ISL 7. 

The star-studded Mumbai City side will start as favorites against NorthEast United on Saturday.

Hyderabad FC vs Chennaiyin FC

Fourth-placed Hyderabad FC will look to register a win against struggling Chennaiyin FC side on Sunday. However, both teams are currently separated by just three points in the ISL points table.

While Manuel Márquez Roca’s men have drawn four and won one of their last five ISL encounters, Chennaiyin have registered three draws, one win and one loss in their last five matches.

Hyderabad FC and Chennaiyin FC have squared off three times in the ISL, with the Chennai outfit edging the battle with two wins to one. In their last encounter, the Nizams had thrashed Chennaiyin 4-1 in January this year.

Meanwhile, Hyderabad have scored 14 goals in the second half while Chennaiyin have conceded 10 goals in the second half of the match.

HFC vs CFC goals scored comparison
Teams First-Half Second-Half Total
HFC 4 14 18
CFC 7 4 11

 

HFC vs CFC goals conceded comparison
Teams First-Half Second-Half Total
HFC 6 10 16
CFC 4 10 14

On current form, the Nizams are tipped to beat the two-time ISL champions and edge closer to the play-off qualification.

With seven goals in 13 games, Hyderabad FC talisman Aridane Santana is tipped to open the scoring for the Nizams. 

ATK Mohun Bagan FC vs Kerala Blasters FC

Kerala Blasters FC look to continue their unbeaten streak against ATK Mohun Bagan FC when they cross swords on Sunday.

Kibu Vicuna’s men have turned it around after a horrendous start to their ISL 7 campaign as they have registered two wins and three draws in their last five matches.

On the other hand, second-placed ATK Mohun Bagan have been pretty inconsistent in their last five matches, winning two, losing two and one match ending in a stalemate.

ATKMB vs KBFC (Last 5 Matches)
ATKMB Metrics KBFC
2 Wins 2
1 Draws 3
2 Losses 0

In their last encounter, Antonio Lopez Habas’ men had defeated the Blasters 1-0 in their first-ever match in ISL history.

Interestingly, while the Mariners have scored 12 of their 13 goals in the second half, the Tuskers have conceded 12 of their 22 goals in the next 45 minutes.

Kerala Blasters will look to upset a star-studded ATK Mohun Bagan side in matchweek 16.

Odisha FC vs Jamshedpur FC

Bottom-placed Odisha FC and seventh-placed Jamshedpur FC will lock horns in a must-win game for both sides in the ISL 2020-21 on Monday.

Both the teams have struggled in the ongoing edition of the league, and they will need to win the majority of their remaining encounters if they are to make it to the top four.

While the Kalinga Warriors have registered just a solitary win in 13 matches, the Red Miners have failed to win a single game in their last five ISL matches.

OFC vs JFC (Last 5 Matches)
OFC Metrics JFC
1 Wins 0
3 Draws 2
1 Losses 3

During the early phase of the ISL 7, Odisha FC had salvaged a 2-2 draw after coming from two goals down in their last encounter against Jamshedpur FC.

The two teams have faced each other three times in the league, with Odisha and Jamshedpur winning a game each. The other match ended in a stalemate.

Odisha FC’s Diego Mauricio is tipped to open the scoring in their upcoming match, with the Brazilian scoring seven goals in 13 ISL games this season.

A victory for Jamshedpur will end their winless streak against Odisha FC, and stay in contention for a place in the playoffs.

SC East Bengal vs Bengaluru FC

Bengaluru FC are desperately looking for a win, having registered three draws and two defeats in their last five ISL matches. 

Interim coach Naushad Moosa aims for his team to end their winless streak when they face struggling SC East Bengal on Tuesday.

Robbie Fowler's East Bengal, who had endured a difficult start to their new life in the ISL, have added six points to their tally in the last five games. 

Interestingly, while Bengaluru FC have scored 11 goals in the second half, SC East Bengal have conceded 13 goals in the same time frame. The Blues have scored as many as five goals in the first 15 minutes in the second half, while the Red and Gold Brigade have conceded five goals during the same time frame.

SC East Bengal vs Bengaluru FC minute scored comparison (minute-wise)
Goals Scored 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90
SCEB 2 2 1 1 2 4
BFC 2 3 1 5 3 3

 

SC East Bengal vs Bengaluru FC minute conceded comparison (minute-wise)
Goals Scored 0-15 16-30 31-45 46-60 61-75 76-90
SCEB 1 2 2 5 3 5
BFC 4 3 1   5 6


On current form, SC East Bengal are tipped to beat the ISL 5 champions in matchweek 16.

Feature Image courtesy: 2021 Indian Super League

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