Mumbai City FC Vs Kerala Blasters FC Prediction: Both play a different brand of football

Mumbai City FC will host Kerala Blasters FC at the India Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati in the Indian Super League for game week 7. Both play a different brand of football. Who will be the winner after 90 minutes?

The Mumbai City FC season has been more marked by frustration than by satisfaction: an inability to get results from dominance. Yet the defending champions fail to finish well, let them down at crucial times, and are thus struggling. In recent times, three-pronged attack by Karelis, Chhangte and Vikram Pratap Singh has shown individual brilliance and imagination, but far too often blew their chances. It has been the consequence which has resulted in the Islanders scoring only seven goals from six matches so far.

Their last game against Odisha FC was a perfect example where they dominated with 15 shots and 55% possession, but could only manage one score. They have failed to convert clear chances into scores on many occasions, and hence, this has cost them some valuable points, putting them vulnerable in the league.

If Mumbai City are to rediscover their best form and climb the table, they must be more clinical in front of goal. The potential is there but converting it into results is what will be the difference in them turning things around. Till then, the opposition will feel that they can capitalise on the Islanders' lack of efficiency.

P. Lachenpa (GK); H. Ralte, M. Singh, Tiri, N. Rodrigues; J. Rane, Y. Van Nieff, J. Toral; L. Chhangte, N. Karelis, V. Singh

Kerala Blasters have been the most successful attacking team of the season so far, with Adrian Luna, Kwame Peprah, and Jesus Jimenez being the spearheads in a fluid front line which can quickly transition to deliver nine goals in six games. Jesus Jimenez, on the other hand, has been an excellent goal-getter, scoring four and being a constant threat for the opposing team up front.

However, Kerala's defensive frailties are a cause for much concern. They have conceded ten goals this season and at times have shown a lot of defensive lapses and organizational issues, which they did against Bengaluru FC in their 3-2 defeat. Though their counter-attacking threat and aerial ability make them a potent force on the attack, their inability to hold defensive solidity has exposed them at times.

Their mixed away form makes the matches even more unpredictable. While the Blasters have scored in all of their last six away games, they have not been able to keep a clean sheet in the last seven. Kerala has won one and lost two away games this season, and they will need to strike a balance between their attacking ambitions and defensive discipline to come out with a positive result against a resilient but goal-shy Mumbai City side.

This game will prove to be a real nail-biter as Kerala's potent attack squares off with Mumbai City's possession-based game. The contest will go down to which side can overcome their defensive deficiencies, if Kerala can score enough or if Mumbai City finally translate their attacking prowess into victories.

Som Kumar (GK); Sandeep Singh, Pritam Kotal, Hormipam Ruivah, Huidrom Naocha Singh; Vibin Mohanan, Alexandre Coeff, Danish Farooq, Adrian Luna, Noah Sadaoui, Kwame Peprah 

This is going to be an absolute thriller in the game between Mumbai City FC and Kerala Blasters as both the teams showcase their distinct style of gameplay.

The match may then boil down to which team can exploit the other's weakness better. If Mumbai City can improve their finishing and make the most of their chances, they are well placed to win. However, Kerala can cause an upset if they can capitalize on Mumbai's high defensive line and strike on the counter. The game should be a thrilling and strategic fight, most likely with goals from both parties.