The Blasters return to familiar surroundings as they prepare to host Mumbai City FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi, on 25 October 2026 in their first home fixture of the MG Indian Super League (ISL) 2026–27 season.
Kerala Blasters FC head into the fixture following a 4–1 defeat to NorthEast United FC in Guwahati and will be determined to bounce back in front of their home supporters.
Despite the defeat, the Blasters showed glimpses of attacking intent and the team’s potential. Ashley Westwood will hope to build on these positives while addressing the defensive lapses that proved costly in Guwahati.
As they prepare to face the Islanders, improving their defensive organisation and making better use of their attacking opportunities will be crucial as they look to return to winning ways.
Rival Watch
Mumbai City FC have endured a difficult start to their campaign, losing 2-1 to Churchill Brothers before being held to a 1-1 draw by Punjab FC. Despite their early struggles, the Islanders possess the quality to trouble Kerala Blasters, particularly if they are allowed space to launch quick transitions.
The visitors are currently in the 9th position of the league table with a point and a goal difference of -1. However, the Islanders’ position in the table does not exactly justify their performance or the potential of the team.
While not in their best form, Mumbai City FC possess a decent squad, capable of threatening opponents if afforded time and space. Despite two of their key attacking options, Vikram Partap Singh being unavailable and Wilmar Jordan Gil likely to miss the game, Mumbai City FC have a formidable roster, including the likes of Brandon Fernandes, Farukh Choudhary, Muhammed Ajsal, Sergio Llamas, Carlos Delgado, Leander Otormin, and Lazar Ćirković.
Mumbai City boast a blend of experienced foreign recruits and Indian talent, giving them attacking variety and defensive solidity.
Speaking about the opponents, head coach Ashley Westwood said:
“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. 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.”
Players to Watch Out For
Adrian Luna
After 585 days away from Indian Super League action, Adrian Luna returned to the pitch for Kerala Blasters FC against NorthEast United FC and immediately made his presence felt. The skipper showcased his creativity and game awareness, providing a clever backheel assist for Momo Yansane’s goal. His vision and ability to unlock defences could prove crucial as the Blasters look to rediscover their attacking rhythm against Mumbai City FC.
Momo Yansane
Momo Yansane was the lone goalscorer for Kerala Blasters FC against NorthEast United FC. The Guinean striker found the back of the net in the 60th minute, calmly converting Adrian Luna’s clever backheel assist with a composed finish into the bottom corner. With his physical presence, movement inside the box, and ability to capitalise on opportunities, Yansane will be keen to build on this performance and provide the attacking threat the Blasters need against Mumbai City FC.
Word from the Boss
“We have to work with what we’ve got and focus on improving every day. If we do that, we’re doing our jobs correctly. We can’t expect miracles, but we can expect daily improvement, hard work, determination and a genuine desire to win.” — Ashley Westwood, Head Coach
“For me, it comes down to desire. You have to work hard and believe in yourself. I believe in this team and my teammates. They’re ready for the game and the league, and they’re showing that they’re willing to listen and learn. They listen to the coach and follow his instructions, just as I do. We’re working hard to bring positive changes to the team and help the coach achieve his objectives.” — Momo Yansane
Head-to-Head Record
Across all tournaments, Kerala Blasters FC and Mumbai City FC have faced each other 25 times. Mumbai City have won in twelve instances, while the Blasters have won seven. Notably, the Blasters have won two out of their last three encounters against Mumbai at Kochi. The latest outing ended 1-0 in favour of Mumbai at Kochi.
- Matches Played: 25
- Kerala Blasters FC Wins: 7
- Draws: 6
- Mumbai City FC Wins: 12
When and Where to Watch Kerala Blasters FC vs Mumbai City FC?
The MG ISL 2026-27 game between Kerala Blasters FC and Mumbai City FC will be played on the 25th October 2026 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 PM IST.
The match will be shown live on Sony Ten 2 and Sony Ten 2 HD and will be available to stream digitally for free on the official MG Indian Super League YouTube Channel.
