Mumbai City FC will be eyeing their first home win of the season when they take on Kerala Blasters in an Indian Super League game here today.
The Jorge Costa-managed team have played two home games this season at their usual fortress the Mumbai Football Arena in suburban Andheri, but suffered defeat on both the occasions.
First, it was Odisha FC who stunned Mumbai with a 4-2 win here and later, FC Goa defeated the hosts by a similar margin on November 7.
Moreover, this would be side’s first home game after it was announced that the City Football Group has acquired a majority of shares in the team.
Both Mumbai and Kerala are placed in the lower half of the points table and a win would help them improve their position.
Mumbai have played six games so far, of which they have won one, drawn three and lost two. Kerala have also played six, won one, drawn two and lost three.
The hosts also have equally strong mid-fielders comprising Paulo Machoda, Raynier Fernades, Rowlin Borges, Diego Carlos, Bipin Singh, Mohamed Larbi, Mohammed Asif and Mohammed Rafique.
They will have to be on their toes to keep the Kerala forwards at bay.
Their line will be manned by Pratik Chaudhari, Mato Grgic and Sauvik Chakrabarti.
Their defence is definitely an area of concern and they would have to put a strong show if Mumbai have to record their second win of the season.
The role of their custodian Amrinder Singh, who has so far made 17 saves in the tournament, will also be of utmost importance.
Amrinder would expect to keep a clean-sheet.
For Kerala, its coach would want forward Bartholomew Ogbeche and Messi Bouli to play to their potential.
Their midfielders and defenders also will have to play to their potential if Mumbai have to stopped in their own den.