ISL Fantasy 2017: Tips for Mumbai City FC vs Kerala Blasters FC

Match 16 of ISL 2017 sees Mumbai City FC take on the Kerala Blasters in the second game on Sunday.

The Mumbai side are coming into the match on the back of a defeat against FC Pune City, while on the other hand, the Kerala Blasters have drawn their last two consecutive matches. In this encounter, Mumbai will be looking to bounce back while the Blasters will look for their first win of ISL 2017.

Here's who you should pick for your fantasy team!

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Goalkeeper

Amrinder Singh: Last season’s Golden Glove winner is yet to keep a clean sheet in ISL 2017 but it is not due to lack of efforts on his part. The 24-year-old has made 14 saves so far, the most by a keeper so far this season.

Defenders

Nemanja Lakic-Pesic: Lakic-Pesic has been Kerala Blasters' standout defender so far, impressing with his positional sense and distribution from the back. He has attempted 135 passes so far, the most by a Kerala Blasters player.

Lalruatthara: The Blasters left-back has enthralled in his first ISL season and the 22-year-old has been impressive both defensively and offensively. The youngster has attempted 10 tackles in the two matches played, the most by a Kerala Blasters defender.

Gerson Vieira: Gerson Vieira was superb in Mumbai City FC’s last match against FC Pune City being named the Hero of the Match for his efforts. The Brazilian has attempted 109 passes, the most by a Mumbai City FC player. He has also been a threat going forward, attempting four shots in three matches, with only Everton Santos having attempted more shots by a Mumbai City FC player.

Lucian Goian: The strapping Romanian, despite Mumbai City FC’s underwhelming start, has continued his form from last season where he was named the best defender. Goian has attempted a massive 22 tackles, the most by a defender in ISL 2017. His eight interceptions are also the most by a Mumbai City FC defender.

Midfielders

Achille Emana: The Nigerian has perhaps been the only Mumbai City FC midfielder who has appeared to carry any offensive threat. Emana has the potential to dominate the midfield with his ball carrying ability and physicality. The burly midfielder set up numerous gilt-edged chances the last time Mumbai played at home and is expected to once again lead Mumbai’s midfield.

CK Vineeth: Last season’s highest Indian goalscorer is yet to open his account but with his pace and deadly shooting, he is always a threat. The 29-year-old has also not shirked his defensive duties as evident by his 11 tackles, which is the most by a Kerala Blasters player.

Courage Pekuson: The Ghanian midfielder has been one of Kerala’s biggest threat impressing with his pace, trickery and work rate. He has also shown versatility by slotting in as a central midfielder against Jamshedpur FC. The 22-year-old is capable of scoring as well as assisting with a defence-splitting pass.

Forwards

Balwant Singh: The strongly-built Balwant Singh scored his first goal of ISL 2017 with a superb long ranger. The 31-year-old, since his return from injury, has got into some good positions and with a goal under his belt, he will be confident of continuing his scoring run.

Iain Hume: The record scorer of ISL is yet to fire in ISL 2017, managing just two shots in two matches. But the Canadian has a fine record against Mumbai City FC and is known to get stronger as the season goes on. With Berbatov dropping a bit deeper to dictate play, Hume can profit.

Dimitar Berbatov: Berbatov had a disappointing opening match against ATK but showed glimpses of his undoubted quality, dictating the play from a slightly deeper position. With Mumbai City FC’s defence struggling to replicate last season’s performances, Berbatov with his quality might be the man to break Kerala’s goal-scoring drought.