'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Mumbai City FC take on Kerala Blasters in their final home game of the Hero Indian Super League season on Thursday evening as both teams look to keep their fading hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals of the ISL alive.
Both teams come into the game on the back of devastating defeats with Mumbai City FC losing to NorthEast United in their last game while Kerala Blasters were hammered by Chennaiyin FC in their last outing.
A defeat for either side would end their respective chances of making it through to the semi-finals while a draw too won’t be any good for either of the two teams.
Mumbai City FC have been at their best playing at the D.Y. Patil Stadium and all of their three wins have come at this venue. Kerala Blasters have won just one away game all season with their season being nothing different from a roller coaster ride.
With both teams seeking that win which keeps them alive in this competition, there is no doubt that the semi-final hopes of at least for one of these two teams tomorrow will be ended today.
Kick off Timing and Telecast
Date & Time: 26th November 2015, 7 PM IST
Venue: Dr. DY Patil Stadium
Telecast: Star Sports 2 & HD2 (English), Star Sports 3 & HD3 (Hindi)
Live Streaming – www.starsports.com & Hotstar App
Team News
Mumbai City FC
Mumbai City FC have a few injury worries ahead of the game against Kerala Blasters as Rowlinson Rodrigues who started the last game is down with an illness. Manager Nicolas Anelka confirmed that Darren O’Dea hasn’t trained all week and won’t be able to take part in the game against the Blasters.
Tunisian midfielder Selim Benachour is also doubtful for Mumbai City FC as they remain without the services of long-term absentees Gabriel Fernandes and Brandon Fernandes.
However French striker Frederic Piquionne has recovered from his injury which kept him out of the game against NorthEast United and is available for selection and so is Haitian winger Sony Norde, who has had enough rest after he returned from International duty.
Nicolas Anelka also hinted he may sit out of the game and focus more on his managerial role in the last few games.
Likely Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Subrata Pal, Ashutosh Mehta, Pavel Cmovs, Frantz Bertin, Lalchhuanmawia Fanai, Juan Aguilera, Cristian Bustos, Subhash Singh, Sunil Chhetri, Sony Norde, Frederic Piquionne.
Kerala Blasters FC
Kerala Blasters, on the other hand, have a fully fit squad to choose from, assistant Coach Trevor Morgan confirmed. The Kerala Blasters, however, could still keep faith in the same team which beat NorthEast United 4-1, while also suffered a defeat by the similar scoreline against Chennaiyin FC.
Likely Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Bywater, Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan, Peter Ramage, Saumik, Mehtab Hossain, Josu, Pulga, Cavin Lobo, Antonio German, Chris Dagnall.
Key Fact
The Kerala Blasters have never beaten Mumbai City FC in the ISL and have yet to score against the Mumbai outfit in three games between them. Their last game away to Mumbai City FC finished in a 1-0 loss.
Key Battles
Sony Norde vs Rahul Bheke
Sony Norde has been Mumbai City FC’s most influential player on the pitch and given them a new dimension in attack. Mumbai City FC sorely missed him in the three games that he missed as they failed to get on the score sheet. However, Sony Norde is back to start again for Mumbai City FC and will be looking to inspire Mumbai City FC to a win.
Sony Norde will be up against local boy Rahul Bheke who has spent all his life playing in Mumbai and may enjoy some support from the Mumbai faithful. The fullback is the only Indian player to have played every single minute of this ISL season and has been in very good form this season.
He, however, will be up against the most dangerous wingers in the ISL and his battle against Sony Norde could prove to be decisive in the game.
Josu vs Cristian Bustos
Josu has been a phenomenon in the Kerala Blasters midfield and the La Masia graduate has been at the heart of everything which the Kerala Blasters have created. Once again, Kerala Blasters will rely on him to produce the goods for Dagnall and German upfront as the Blasters look to keep their hopes of a semi-final place alive.
Cristian Bustos will be tasked with keeping Josu at bay and the Spaniard has been in terrific form in the last few games. Bustos has easily been Mumbai City FC’s best player in the last month and has done a great job shielding the defence.
Having shipped in nine goals in their last two games, Bustos will play a key role in providing protection to that fragile defence against one of the strongest attacks in the ISL.
Predictions
Mumbai City FC 3-1 Kerala Blasters
The return of Sony Norde and home advantage is likely to work in favour of Mumbai City FC and with a leaky defence, the Kerala Blasters will find the Mumbai City FC attack too hot to handle.
