The Islanders travel to Kochi as Kerala Blasters FC play their final home game, knowing a point will secure their playoff spot.
Mumbai City FC will play Kerala Blasters FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on March 7, at 7:30 pm IST.
The Islanders need just a point to qualify for the playoffs as they are tied on 33 points with the sixth-placed Odisha FC. However, the Juggernauts have finished their league run whereas Mumbai City FC still have two matches in hand. Kerala Blasters FC are out of that contention, placed ninth with 25 points from 22 encounters. Mumbai City FC had beaten Kerala Blasters FC by 4-2 in the reverse fixture back in November, and are eyeing their 24th league double in ISL history – levelling FC Goa for doing so the most number of times in the competition.
Kerala Blasters FC’s Overall Outputs
- Defensive Record: Kerala Blasters FC have given away 36 goals this season, matching their highest tally in a single ISL campaign (2020-21). They have also let in 34 goals against Mumbai City FC, with only FC Goa (50) netting more past them.
- Attacking Delivery: Despite their defensive issues, Kerala Blasters FC have found the back of the net 31 times this season. They have only improved this tally in two previous campaigns, 2021-22 (37 goals) and 2023-24 (33 goals), showing that they will want to blend defensive organisation with similar offensive consistency in the remaining games.
Mumbai City FC’s Away Resilience
- Away Run: The Islanders are unbeaten in their last eight away games (W4 D4) and have a chance to equal their longest such streak on the road (9 games from October 2022 to February 2023).
- Shooting Efficiency: Mumbai City FC average 14.5 shots per game, the third highest in ISL 2024-25 (behind NorthEast United FC – 16.2 and Mohun Bagan Super Giant – 15.5). However, their shot conversion rate stands at just 8.5%, the third lowest this season, which reflects in them being the fourth-least scoring (27) team in the competition.
Head-to-Head
The two sides have played 21 games, with Mumbai City FC winning on 10 instances and Kerala Blasters FC emerging victorious five times. Six games have produced draws.
Coaches Corner
“I want to approach the game in a good manner”
Kerala Blasters FC interim head coach TG Purushothaman maintained that he wants his side to sign off positively from the season.
“I want to approach these games in a good manner. We will have to give in our best efforts,” he said.
“I am very positive about this team”
Mumbai City FC head coach Petr Kratky said that he is optimistic about his team moving forward.
“I am very positive about this team. We have to keep working hard and keep fighting until the end,” he said.
Key Players to Watch
- Kerala Blasters FC’s Adrian Luna has 23 assists in ISL for Kerala Blasters FC, tying him with Brandon Fernandes for the most assists by a player for a single club. Luna has set up six goals in ISL 2024-25.
- Mumbai City FC’s Hmingthanmawia Ralte won five tackles against Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the last game, the most for any player in ISL 2024-25. His tally of 52 tackles in 2024-25 is second only to Ahmed Jahouh’s 55 in 2020-21 for Mumbai City FC.
- Kerala Blasters FC’s Korou Singh has six goal contributions (2 goals, 4 assists) in ISL 2024-25. He has made 26 touches inside the opposition’s box and won 51 duels too.
ISL Fantasy
Adrian Luna (10.4cr)
The KBFC star has won 94 ISL fantasy points this season.
Hmingthanmawia Ralte (4.2cr)
The Mumbai City FC player has bagged 121 ISL fantasy points this season.
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