ISL 2015: Three reasons why Kerala will beat Mumbai tonight
Bottom two sides of the ISL, Mumbai City FC and Kerala Blasters FC, will face each other in a 'do-or-die' match at the DY Patil Stadium tonight. Both the teams have slim hopes of making it to the knockout stage and tonight's loser will virtually be knocked out of the tournament. Mumbai are currently on a five-match win-less streak and that is likely to be prolonged by Kerala.
Prediction
Mumbai City FC 1-2 Kerala Blasters
Mumbai's abysmal defence against Kerala's potent attack
Mumbai have the worst defence in the league and have conceded the most number of goals in the tournament so far – 20. In fact, they have specially been in a charitable mood recently, conceding a staggering 14 goals in their last five games. A team with dreams of getting into the top-four cannot afford to do that.
This tottering rearguard will face a Kerala team who have scored 12 goals in their last six matches. The Blasters have fantastic depth in attack and their attacking triumvirate, of Chris Dagnall, Mohammed Rafi and Antonio German, can take apart any defence on their day. Mumbai will find it hard to contain the visitors tonight.
Anelka v Chhetri
Nicolas Anelka recently criticized Sunil Chhetri in a press conference, insisting that the Indian striker will have to play wide as the team has better central strikers. It seems like a lot of big egos are clashing in the Mumbai dressing room.
The Frenchman was one of the most deadly strikers in the world once, but has struggled to make an impact as a player in the ISL so far. In fact, his presence in the line-up has meant that Mumbai's top goalscorer, Sunil Chhetri, has had to play as a left winger- no wonder the Blue Devils have failed to score in their last three games. Anelka's insistence on playing himself in the central role, ahead of Chettri, has hurt his team.
Anelka's tactical naivety
The Mumbai manager has recently claimed in a press conference that his team will not be able to change formation at this stage of the tournament – even though it is clearly not working. Their 4-4-2 formation will allow Kerala to outnumber Mumbai in the midfield with their 4-3-1-2 formation.
Mumbai's central midfielder Cristian Bustos and Juan Aguilera will struggle to cope with the four-man midfield diamond of Mehtab Hossain, Pulga, Josu and Cavin Lobo. This will once again expose the Mumbai defence which will be stretched by the wide forwards of Kerala. Unless Anelka pulls a rabbit out of his hat, tactically, there seems to be just one winner.
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