Mumbai City FC VS Kerala Blasters FC- Match Preview

08 Jan 2023 | Written By Shyam Sundar

High-Flying Mumbai City FC will host fired up Kerala Blasters FC at the Mumbai Football Arena as all eyes are set on this top of the table clash. The match will kick-off at 19:30 IST.

Mumbai City FC remain the only unbeaten side in this year's Hero ISL. They have won 9 of their 12 games this season scoring a whooping total of 36 goals. Also, they are on a 7 game winning streak which is the best in the league's history. Addressing the media ahead of the game, Buckingham added "We don't look at the opposition too much in terms of streaks, the same way we don't look at our own winning streak."

Image Courtesy : ISL Media

At the same time, the Blasters are also on a 8 match undefeated run. Their last defeat came against Mumbai City FC at Kochi. Ever since, they have managed to win 7 out of their 8 games. This might potentially be a game where one team might end other team's undefeated run. "As a head coach, I like to play these kind of games", added Blasters Head Coach Ivan Vukomanovic.

Head-to-Head:

Mumbai City have a very good record against the Blasters as they have won 7 out of the 17 meetings between these two sides. Kerala Blasters have won only 4 times and the remaining 6 meetings ended in a draw. The reverse fixture between these two sides saw Mumbai City FC emerge with a 2-0 away win with goals from Mehtab Singh and Jorge Pereyra Diaz.

Team News:

Mumbai City FC are expected to have a fully fit squad. But the services of Apuia is a doubt, as his availability is unknown after missing the last game against Odisha FC.

Image Courtesy : Kerala Blasters FC Media

As for the Blasters, there are not any major injury concerns within their squad. But, right-back Sandeep Singh will serve his one match suspension against the Islanders meanwhile Ivan Kalyuzhnyi will return from his suspension after missing the game against Jamshedpur FC.

Probable Lineups:

Mumbai City FC: Phurba Lachenpa(GK), Rahul Bheke, Mehtab Singh, Rostyn Griffiths, Vignesh, Jahouh, Vinit Rai, Bipin Singh, Greg Stewart, Chhangte, JP Diaz.

Kerala Blasters FC: Gill(GK), Nishu Kumar, Ruivah Hormipam, Marko Leskovic, Jessel Carnerio, Jeakson Singh, Ivan Kalyuzhnyi, Sahal Abdul Samad, Rahul KP, Adrian Luna, Dimitrios Diamantakos.

Key Players:

Image Courtesy : Mumbai City FC Media

Lallianzuala Chhangte will be the key player for Mumbai City FC. Chhangte is the leading Indian goal-scorer in the league and is placed joint second in the golden boot race. He has scored 14 goals and has provided 5 assists in 19 games this season, averaging a goal or an assist every game.

Image Courtesy : Kerala Blasters FC Media

Diamantakos will be the key player for Kerala Blasters. After failing to find the back of the net in the first 4 games, the Greek striker has scored 6 times in the last 8 games. While Apostolos Giannou might be left out to accommodate Ivan Kalyuzhnyi, the goal scoring responsibiliy will lie on his shoulders.