Bengaluru host Mumbai City in the Indian Super League later this month, with both sides looking to kick-off the new season in style. Having finished top of the standings last time around, only to be defeated in the playoffs, the visitors are the firm favourites to defeat Bengalura.
Indian Super League – Bangalore Football Stadium, Bangalore – Sunday 19th November – 15:30 UK Time
Match Preview
Bengaluru take on Mumbai City at the Bangalore Football Stadium on the 19th November, with the visitors hoping to quickly find their feet as they battle it out with the other big names in the Indian Super League. Despite the competition not having attracted a great deal of interest from neutral football fans in the past, significant investment in the league means that there are now some big names participating. As a result, attention from betting customers is set to increase, with our top tip below well worth considering for those looking to back their favourite surrounding this match. However, let’s first take a closer look at the two teams, starting with the home side.
Bengaluru Team News & Form
Bengalura find themselves in the Indian Super League this season having finished fourth in the i-League last time around, with Albert Roca’s men undoubtedly having to quickly adjust to their new surrounding if they are to achieve anything this season. Former Middlesbrough defender John Johnson should help make up the Bengaluru defence, while Spanish forward Miku will be hoping to bring his experience and goalscoring ability to India. The former Venezuela international is just one of a number of new faces for the homes side, with manager Roca hoping that they can bed in quickly.
Mumbai City Team News & Form
Having topped the Indian Super League standings last season, Costa Rican manager Alexandre Guimarães will be looking to ensure that his side are in with a chance of repeating the trick this time around. New signing Everton Sanchez could well lead the line for the visiting team, with the former PSG striker a significant goal threat for Mumbai. City had the best defensive record in the Indian Super League last season, conceding just eight goals from their 14 matches.
Head to Head
The two teams have met eight times in competitive fixtures, with Bengaluru having surprisingly won twice, while recording five draws from such encounters. In fact, Bengaluru came out on top by three goals to nil when the two teams met earlier this year, with the game being followed up by a goalless draw in Mumbai.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Despite being the home team, it comes as little surprise that it is Mumbai City who are the firm favourites for victory with many online bookmakers for this match. The visitors can be backed at best odds of 13/10 at William Hill, while an opening weekend victory for the Delhi Dynamos can be found at odds of 5/4 with the same bookmaker.
Top Betting Tip
However, our top betting tip for the match is to bet on a draw between Bengaluru and Mumbai City, with odds of 3/1 available at Ladbrokes.