ISL 2015: Kerala Blasters FC vs Mumbai City FC - Preview, Live stream & TV channel info, Team News, Prediction

Kerala Blasters FC and Mumbai City FC have had contradictory starts to their respective campaigns in the Hero Indian Super League 2015. The Blasters won their opening match 3-1 in front of the jubilant 60,000 fans at Kochi while Mumbai succumbed to 3-1 loss to their neighbours, FC Pune City.

Both sides will be without their Indian National team contingent going into the fixture, and will want to grab all the 3 points that are at stake at Kochi.

You can follow it live here.

Kickoff Time and Telecast

Live Telecast: StarSports 1 and 2, StarSports HD1 and HD 2, Asianet Movies (Malayalam)

Live Stream: starsports.com

Date and Time: Saturday, 10 October 2015 – 1900 IST

Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi

Team News

The services of Sandesh Jhingan, will be missed dearly for the second game running by Kerala Blasters, as the star defender will be on International duty. Midfielder Cavin Lobo will be the other absentee, attending the national team camp.

Marquee signing Carlos Marchena, still recovering from his injury may sit this one out; as Peter Taylor will not want to rush the defender into action.

Peter Carvalho, the centre midfielder who is carrying his niggle, will also not feature for the Yellow brigade. Josu Preito, Rahul Bheke and C.K Vineeth; all of whom who showcased impressive displays against NorthEast is likely to start against Mumbai as well.

"We are delighted with the win but we can play a lot better. The players will also admit that. We could have scored a lot more goals. We have to work on that,” said Kerala Blasters coach, Peter Taylor at the press conference ahead of the game.

Indian National Team captain, Sunil Chhetri, will not be present at Kochi, as he will be leading India to a daunting task of a trip to Oman, for the World Cup Qualifiers.

Frenchman Frédéric Piquionne, may play the sole striker up top, like he did against Pune. In midfield, Brandon Fernanders who was injured for the match against Pune has been deemed fit and will be in the thick of the action for the Blue Citizens from the centre.

Player-manager, Nicholas Anelka who made a late appearance in Mumbai’s opening game will want to join the action from the bench, a little earlier against Kerala Blasters.

Nicolas Anelka will feel the pressure going into the game

Predicted Lineups

Kerala Blasters FC (3-5-2): Stephen Bywater, Bruno Perone, Marcus Williams, Peter Ramage, Rahul Bheke, C.K Vineeth, Pe, Mehtab Hossain, Ishfaq Ahmed, Josu Prieto, Mohammed Rafi, Chris Dagnall

Mumbai City FC (4-3-3): Albino Gomes, Ashutosh Mehra, Frantz Bertin, Pavel Cmovs, Keegan Pereira, Juan Aguilera, Gabriel Fernandes, Sony Norde, Andre Moritz, Brandon Fernandes, Frédéric Piquionne

Key Battles

Frédéric Piquionne vs Peter Ramage

Peter Ramage spearheaded the resolute Kerala defence in their opening match against NorthEast. The 31 year old who also managed an assist, will square up against the tall Frédéric Piquionne. The Frenchman who scored against rivals Pune, will be a danger in the box with his aerial prowess and will be a tricky customer to defend against. Wary of this will be the experienced, Peter Ramage.

Ashutosh Mehta vs CK Vineeth

Vineeth was on song during Kerala’s 3-1 thumping of NorthEast United. The 27-year-old made surging runs down the wing for Kerala and posed a threat from the left wing feeding in balls into the box on numerous occasions. He will be up against Ashutosh Mehta who had a decent outing himself at Pune. The battle down the flank will get jittery when the two go up against each other.

Peter Taylor vs Nicolas Anelka

Peter Taylor raised a few eyebrows when he opted to play 3 defenders at the back against NorthEast. Having successfully pulled it off, it won’t be surprising if he approaches the game in a similar fashion. Anelka, who has responsibilities from both within the pitch and from the sidelines, will have to come up with an intelligent game plan to break down the mighty Kerala defence set out by Peter Taylor.

Prediction

Kerala Blasters carry the winning momentum from their opening fixture and are backed by the cheering tens of thousands at Kochi, which might just help them edge this one against a strong Mumbai City outfit.

Kerala Blasters 2-1 Mumbai City