Mumbai City FC take on Kerala Blasters in ISL
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Mumbai: After being hammered 5-1 in their previous outing, an erratic Mumbai City FC would look to put their campaign back on track when they lock horns with Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League here Sunday.
Mumbai are struggling to find their rhythm and are placed second from bottom in the points table with a win and three losses.
Save for the 5-0 win against Pune City FC, the Ranbir Kapoor-owned team has failed to get the better of the opposition and would be eager to add three points to their kitty when they take on Blasters on their home turf at the D Y Patil Stadium.
Mumbai would be without the services of their marquee player Frederik Ljungberg who is nursing a hamstring injury. The Swede missed the last game against Chennaiyin FC after suffering an injury sustained in the home tie against NorthEast United.
Boosted by the presence of skipper Syed Rahim Nabi, who scored the lone goal in the loss against Chennaiyin FC, the hosts would depend on the versatile footballer in this important clash. He will form the core of the defence along with German Manuel Fredrich.
Nicolas Anelka did not have much of an impact in his first game after having missed the first three matches owing to a suspension and the French striker would be itching to show his class in front of the home crowd.
Brazilian midfielder Andre Moritz, who scored a hat-trick against Pune, has had a telling impact on the side along with diminutive Indian Subhash Singh, who has one goal to his credit so far in the tournament.
On the other hand, Kerala Blasters would look to continue the momentum after having tasted victory for the first time in their last encounter against Pune.
The Sachin Tendulkar co-owned team is placed fifth in the eight-team league with four points in as many matches.
The 30-year-old Scottish born Canadian international forward Ian Hume, who has scored the first-ever and only goal for Kerala Blasters FC in their 1-2 loss to Chennaiyin FC, will once again look to lead the attack with C S Sabeeth and Nigerian Penn Orji, who starred in the previous game.
The former England goalkeeper David James-led team would also rely on former Newcastle United striker and player of Indian origin Michael Chopra to provide an extra thrust.