Kochi:<\b> Kerala Blasters FC take on Mumbai City FC in what is expected to be a thrilling tie in the Indian Super League on Wednesday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Both the teams come into the match after being held to goalless draws in their previous encounters. Kerala were drew at home against the spirited Delhi Dynamos and FC Goa managed to get a point out of in-form Mumbai.
Kerala will not be happy with their last result as they were expected to take full points from their home game and will be hoping to take maximum points against Mumbai this time around.
Mumbai, who have been in superb form of late thanks to star striker Nicolas Anelka, were on the back foot for most of their last match against Goa and will also be hoping to turn the tables on Kerala.
Mumbai are currently fourth on the points table with 10 points while Kerala are 6th with eighth points. A win for Kerala will see them leapfrog Mumbai into the top four. Meanwhile Mumbai can move to third spot if the win, after FC Pune City drew against Chennaiyin FC on Tuesday. They can come up level with second-placed Chennaiyin FC on points but will trail on goal difference.
When Mumbai and Kerala met earlier in the season, the former came out on top with a 1-0 win and surely they will be hoping to make it two wins against the Blasters.
The hosts' biggest problem in the inaugural season of ISL has always been finding the back of the net. They have just scored five goals in comparison to Mumbai's eight. However, Kerala have a better defensive record having conceded only six in comparison to Mumbai's ten and the team from south comes into this match with back-to-back cleansheets. But keeping Anelka & Co. quiet will surely be a big task and David James's side must be on the top of their game if they need to get anything out of this match.
Striker Iain Hume will once again be key for the hosts as by far he has been the player of season for them. Kerala will be hoping that the Canadian striker can add to his goal tally in the competition. Meanwhile, skipper and playmaker Penn Orji can once again influence the game. The Nigerian central midfielder already has his name on the score sheet and will be trying to unlock the Mumbai defence.
On the other hand, Mumbai will be once again depend on the French striker for goals. Anelka, with his pace, can unlock any defence in ISL and despite his age can still turn a match on its head. He has two goals to his name in three games and will surely be more than handful for Kerala defenders.
Form Guide (last five matches)
Kerala Blaster FC: D-W-L-W-D
Mumbai City FC: D-W-W-L-L
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