ISL 2026-27: Injury-stricken Mumbai City looks to stun Kerala Blasters in Kochi

Kerala Blasters has won two of its last three matches against Mumbai City in Kochi — a statistic it will look to extend on Sunday. | Photo Credit: R. K. Nithin

Kerala Blasters FC will return to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi, on Sunday, October 25, as it hosts Mumbai City FC in its first home fixture of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 on Sunday.

The Blasters will be looking to bounce back after a 1-4 defeat against NorthEast United FC in Guwahati in their previous outing, while Mumbai City is still on the hunt for its first win this season under former India coach Manolo Marquez.

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“We’re expecting a tough game. Mumbai haven’t earned as many points as their performances and statistics suggest they should have. They’re underperforming in terms of results, and their performances indicate that they’re better than their league position might suggest, although they’ve played only two games,” Ashley Westwood, Blasters’ coach, said before the match.

“They have good players, including several regular national-team players. They have quality foreign players, a good manager and a strong club. We expect a difficult match.”

Mumbai City, on the other hand, has struggled to get going under Marquez, who had previously led Hyderabad FC to its maiden ISL title and FC Goa to the Super Cup. The Islanders lost their opening match 1-2 to Churchill Brothers and conceded a late equaliser to draw 1-1 with Odisha.

“Everyone knows that when you play in Kerala, it’s very nice — the atmosphere there, and Kerala Blasters at home. We know it will be a tough game, but I think it will be for them too,” Marquez said.

To add to Mumbai City’s woes, the club will miss forwards Vikram Partap Singh and Wilmar Jordan Gil in its next match. Vikram started against Odisha in their previous match, only to be forced off the field in the 21st minute with an injury.

“Vikram suffered a bad injury, and he won’t be available for a long period. Let’s see if he can play some games in the last part of ISL,” Marquez said. “Wilmar too has a muscle problem in his hamstring and will not be available for this game. He will be out for a few games.”

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The Blasters and Mumbai City have faced each other 25 times across all competitions, with the Islanders leading the head-to-head record with 12 wins, but on home soil, the Blasters enjoy a better record, with two wins in the last three matches.

Sunday will be another test for the Blasters to capitalise on home advantage or Marquez plotting an upset in God’s own country.