ISL 2020-21: Kerala Blasters vs Mumbai City FC: Preview, Team News, Timings, Live Streaming Info

Indian Super League Prediction

April 20 2024, 07:30 PM

Goa

Chennaiyin FC

Lobera looks to bounce back as Vicuna eyes end to poor record against Mumbai. Credit: ISL Media

Goa, Feb 2: Kerala Blasters have a poor record against Mumbai City FC in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL).

In their last five meetings, Kerala have failed to register a single win against the Islanders, losing three and drawing the other two. But as his side prepared to take on the league leaders at the GMC Stadium on Wednesday, Kerala coach Kibu Vicuna sounded optimistic.

KBFC Team News

“They're (Mumbai City FC) the leader of the competition. They're a very good team, very good players with a good coach. It’s a big challenge for us as we have to come back and get a win tomorrow. We are ready to face Mumbai City,” stated Vicuna.

Kerala have struggled against coach Sergio Lobera’s teams in the past. The former FC Goa coach enjoys his best success rate against Kerala, against whom he has won six matches and drawn one. “They are a good team and we will try to get three points,” said Vicuna.

In their previous outing, Kerala squandered a two-goal lead to go down 3-2 against ATK Mohun Bagan, with some controversial decisions going against the team. However, Vicuna chose to overlook that and concentrate on his team. “We have to focus on the game as that is the only thing we can do. What we can do is do better and play better,” he said.

MCFC Team News

Meanwhile, Mumbai will look to end their recent poor form. The side has won just one of the last four games, a run which also saw their second defeat of the campaign, against NorthEast United FC.

“We knew this situation was possible because it is practically impossible to not lose any game during the season. We lost the first game to NorthEast. Never before during the same season has one team gone 12 games unbeaten,” said Lobera.

“We are ready (for a reaction) because we know in this competitive league, this situation was possible. We are not (going to let this) affect us because we need to continue improving and work with the same ambition in the same way. We need to learn from our mistakes as always but I am not worried,” Lobera said.

Kerala Squad:

Goalkeepers: Albino Gomes, Bilal Khan, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Muheet Khan. Defenders: Costa Nhamoinesu, Nishu Kumar, Bakary Kone, Jessel Carneiro, Sandeep Singh, Abdul Hakku, Lalruatthara; Midfielders: Sergio Cidoncha, Sahal Abdul Samad, Vicente Gomez, Seityasen Singh, Rahul KP, Givson Singh, Lalthathanga Khawlhring, Yendrembam Denechandra, Nongdamba Naorem, Arjun Jayaraj, Ayush Adhikari, Jeakson Singh, Prasanth Karuthadathkuni, Ritwik Das, Rohit Kumar; Forwards: Gary Hooper, Jordan Murray, Facundo Pereyra, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Shaiborlang Kharpan.

Mumbai Squad:

Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Vikram Singh, Nishit Shetty, Phurba Lachenpa Defenders: Mourtada Fall, Mandar Rao Desai, Mehtab Singh, Amey Ranawade, Valpuia, Sarthak Golui, Tondonba Singh, Mohamad Rakip Midfielders: Ahmed Jahouh, Cy Goddard, Asif Khan, Bidyananda Singh, Hernan Santana, Hugo Boumous, Raynier Fernandes, Rowllin Borges, Sourav Das, Vignesh Dakshinamurthy Forwards: Adam Le Fondre, Bartholomew Ogbeche, Pranjal Bhumij, Bipin Singh, Farukh Choudhary,Vikram Pratap Singh