Mumbai City FC vs Kerala Blasters FC, lineups, team news, prediction & preview

The two teams lie at the bottom half of the table.

Mumbai City FC are going to host Kerala Blasters on Matchday 7 of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season. The Islanders are coming into the game after being held to a 1-1 against 10-man Odisha FC at the Mumbai Football Arena.

This was Mumbai City FC’s third draw in the five games they have played in the season so far, leaving them ninth on the league table with just six points from five games.

Kerala Blasters were humbled by the table-toppers Bengaluru FC 1-3 away from home in the previous matchday. The loss meant Kerala have now lost twice and won twice in the six games they have played, leaving them with eight points and in eighth place on the league table.

The Stakes

Mumbai City FC

The Islanders will have an opportunity to get into the top half of the league table with a win against the Blasters. But for that, Petr Kratky’s men would need some consistency going forward as the team hasn’t looked convincing enough in front of the goal. Only Hyderabad FC, Mohammedan SC and East Bengal FC have scored at a lower rate than the Islanders.

The low output could be traced back to poor efficiency and lower creativity in the attacking third, compared to the other teams. Mumbai City FC ranks tenth in the league for xG created and first for big chances missed. The gap between the Islanders and the second-placed team for big chances missed is huge, highlighting the inability to take their chances of the Mumbai forwards.

Kerala Blasters FC

Kerala Blasters aren’t much of an upgrade over the Islanders when it comes to scoring and taking chances. They do not create substantially more than the Islanders and come with a weaker defence. So the game presents the Blasters an excellent opportunity to enter the top half of the table themselves.

Mikael Stahre’s men equal to the hosts, even better in some aspects of the game, statistically speaking. And so, they would fancy their chances of getting a result away from home.

Injury & Team News

Mumbai City FC

Mumbai City FC did have an injury worry as Brandon Fernandes had to be removed from the squad for the game against Odisha FC. However, coach Petr Kratky believed the midfielder would be back in time for the Blasters game. No other suspensions or injuries for the Islanders.

Kerala Blasters FC

Adrian Luna and Som Kumar returned for the game against Bengaluru FC and so, Mikael Stahre will have everybody to choose from for the game against Mumbai City FC.

Head-to-head

Matches Played: 21

Mumbai City FC wins: 9

Kerala Blasters FC wins: 6

Draws: 6

Predicted Lineups

Mumbai City FC (4-3-3)

Lachenpa Phurba (GK); Mehtab Singh, Nathan Rodrigues, Tiri, Valpuia; Jayesh Rane, Jon Toral, Van Nieff; Vikram Pratap Singh, Nikolas Karelis, Lallianzuala Chhangte

Kerala Blasters FC (4-3-3)

Som Kumar (GK); Sandeep Singh, Pritam Kotal, Hormipam Ruivah, Huidrom Naocha Singh; Vibin Mohanan, Alexandre Coeff, Danish Farooq, Adrian Luna, Noah Sadaoui, Kwame Peprah

Players to watch

Lallianzuala Chhangte (Mumbai City FC)

The 27-year-old winger provided the assist for the equalizer of Mumbai City FC against Odisha FC. This was the Indian international’s first goal or assist in the league this season.

The forward had poor luck in the final third so far but now with him already opening his account for the season, it would make a perfect season for the pacy winger to go berserk against the Blasters.

Noah Sadaoui (Kerala Blasters FC)

The Moroccan winger has been the best player for the Blasters this season. He has already scored thrice and assisted twice in the season.

The 31-year-old left-winger also ranks third for the most chances created in the league. He will be up against Valpuia, who comes into the game after a mistake that helped Odisha FC open the scoring in the previous game.

Did You Know?

• Kerala Blasters have the second-most accurate crosses per match (6.3) in the league this season.
• Mumbai City FC and Kerala Blasters FC share the first two positions for the most accurate long balls played per match in the league so far.
• Kwame Peprah and Nikolas Karelis have missed the most big chances (4) in the league so far.

Telecast

The Mumbai City FC vs Kerala Blasters FC match will take place on Sunday (3 November) at the Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai. It will kick off at 7:30 PM IST.

The match will be shown live on Sports 18 and be available to stream on Jio Cinema and Jio TV. International viewers can catch it out on the One Football app.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.