Mumbai and Kerala can take a giant step towards qualification for the semifinals with a win on Saturday evening at the Andheri Sports Complex.

Alexandre Guimares’ men dominated against Goa but could only come away with a point as they endured another frustrating day in front of goal. Sunil Chhetri was the main culprit, missing 3 easy chances against the Gaurs.

Diego Forlan, Matias Defederico and Sony Norde should do much better than the three goals they have managed in their last six matches and this is a problem that the Costa Rican will have to fix if they are to qualify for the semifinals.

Their remaining three matches are at home but they have only one win out of the previous four matches in Mumbai. This record will have to improve in order to progress to the next round.

The Blasters, having started slowly, are suddenly in the race for a playoff berth. They will have fond memories of playing against the Blasters, having defeated them for their first win of the season.

Kerala look re-energised after the introduction of CK Vineeth and Rino Anto and have won their last two matches comfortably. “The two players Vineeth and Rino who came in from Bengaluru FC in a league where you are not allowed to make mid-season signings. For us, it was like signing two new players and psychologically it was important and obviously in performance it has made a big difference and we were delighted to have them and Vineeth’s impact has been substantial,” Blasters’ managers Steve Coppell had to say.

Also playing after a gap of a week, they will be the fresher of the two teams as Coppell finally seems to have found his best combination.

Match Facts

Venue: Andheri Sports Complex, Mumbai

Capacity: 20,000.

Time: 7 pm IST.

Last meeting: October 14th 2016, Kerala Blasters 1-0 Mumbai City FC

Head-to-head: Matches played: 5. Kerala wins: 1, Mumbai wins: 1, Draws: 3

Key Battles

Aaron Hughes vs Matias Defederico: Aaron Hughes returns to the ISL after international duty with Northern Ireland. He should start at centre-back alongside Cedric Hengbart. The Kerala marquee looks among the fittest of his lot and it will be interesting to see his battle with Defederico.

The Argentine started well, notching a goal in his first match and linking well with Diego Forlan but seems to have been inconsistent since. Has been Mumbai’s most creative player but Guimares and Mumbai will expect more.

Expected line-ups

Mumbai City FC: Amrinder Singh; Lucian Goian, Anwar Ali, Aiborlang Khongjee, Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte; Gerson Vieira, Krisztian Vadocz; Matias Defederico, Sony Norde, Diego Forlan; Sunil Chhetri

Kerala Blasters FC: Sandip Nandy; Aaron Hughes, Cedric Hengbart, Sandesh Jhingan, Rino Antol; Azrack Mahamat, Mehtab Hossain; Josu Currais, Michael Chopra, Didier Boris Kadio; CK Vineeth