Impregnable Mumbai City meets hopeful Kerala Blasters to gain more points to stem their position on top of the table. Both teams have lost only once till now but the Yellow Army have drawn three of their last four fixtures.
MCFC vs KBFC Match Details :
When: Sunday, December 19
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Where: Fatorda Stadium
MCFC vs KBFC Match Preview :
It was going to be tough to break down a defensively rigid side like Chennaiyin FC but a late header from Rahul Bheke four minutes from time finally sealed all three points for the Islanders. As usual, Mumbai City FC dominated the majority of the possession against an opposition prioritising to just shut the doors. Five shots out of six was on target but with no gradual openings found the holders trumped from a set piece. And it was Ahmed Jahouh again behind a goal scored, delivering his fourth consecutive assist, this time with the Indian center back scoring the winner. Mumbai's incredible performances so far got them another win even though Chennai asked few questions with their restricted number of chances. The table toppers have now gained 15 points after six games with four points ahead of Jamshedpur FC in second. They want to keep the momentum going against a side placed eighth on the chart.
Ivan Vukomanovic demanded more from his players than the 1-1 draw against distorted SC East Bengal team still searching for their first win of the campaign. The good news is striker Alvaro Vazquez is finally making his say. The 30 year old scored for the second game running to level things up after center back Mrcela gave the Red and Gold Brigade the lead. While the majority of chances fell to SC East Bengal's way, KBFC enjoyed possession but failed to make the most out of it. This draw was a dent to their hope of establishing a winning run after securing their first victory of the season prior to this game against a formidable Odisha FC. They have also failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last three games although they haven't conceded more than once since the opening day. But they need to start firing with the champions now knocking on the door.
Recent Form
Mumbai City: WWWWL
Kerala Blasters: DWDDL
MCFC vs KBFC Team News :
Mumbai City FC have kept their squad fit and fine for the season till now with Vignesh only missing through his ankle injury. In the meantime, KBFC have no injury problems to think about with goalkeepers Muheet Shabir and Albino Gomes already joining winger Rahul KP, absent since the first game of the season.
MCFC vs KBFC Expected Lineups :
Mumbai City: Mohammed Nawaz; Amey Ranawade, Mourtada Fall, Rahul Bheke, Mandar Rao Dessai, Apuia, Ahmed Jahouh, Raynier Fernandes, Cassinho, Bipin Singh, Igor Angulo.
Kerala Blasters: Singh Gill; Sandeep Singh, Marko Leskovic, Enes Sipovic, Jessel Carneiro, Prasanth, Jeakson Singh, Puitea, Sahal Samad, Adrian Luna, Alvaro Vazquez
MCFC vs KBFC Head to Head :
Kerala have failed to beat Mumbai City since the December 2018 when a certain Iain Hume scored the only goal of the game. That was also the last time they restricted Mumbai City FC from scoring. In total, MCFC have defeated the Tuskers 6 times in 15 such meetings with Kerala Blasters managing only two wins in the entire period.
MCFC vs KBFC Dream11 Team Prediction :
GK: Nawaz (MCFC)
DEF: Ranawade (MCFC), Fall (MCFC), Bheke (MCFC), Carneiro (KBFC)
MID: Luna (KBFC), Jeakson (KBFC), Jahouh (MCFC), Cassio (MCFC)
FW: Vazquez (KBFC), Angulo (MCFC)
Match Prediction: MCFC 2-0 KBFC
Like Chennaiyin, KBFC can make Mumbai's life difficult being a cohesive side defensively but the Islanders will surely up the tempo to resist being dragged late in the game. It will potentially be another comfortable winning margin for Des Buckingham's men.
