ISL There will be two major changes in the Kerala Blasters team; The superstar will return to strengthen the team

 Kochi-based Kerala Blasters FC is Kerala's only hope in Indian Super League football. Blasters are gearing up for the 11th round of the 2023-2024 ISL season. It is indicated that the Yellow Army will play with significant changes in this match.

Kerala Blasters FC, Kerala's only presence in the Indian Super League, is gearing up for the Christmas celebration. Kerala Blasters FC will take on former champions Mumbai City FC at the Kalur Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi at 8 pm on December 24. The Blasters will not be satisfied with anything less than a win. It is also true that Kerala Blasters have some chances to win even before the match.

It is true that the strength of Kerala Blasters has suffered due to the fact that leading players like Adrian Luna, Jackson Singh and Ibanba Dohling are out due to injury. The Hornets also failed to beat Mumbai City, who were unbeaten in the 2023-2024 season, in the away match. However, four of their players were red carded in Mumbai City's last match which ended in Kaiankali. All these four players will not be able to play against Kerala Blasters. This made Kerala Blasters stronger than Mumbai City FC on paper.

Left and right wing backs Akash Mishra, Rahul Beke, playmaker Greg Stewart and right winger Vikram Pratap Singh are the Mumbai City players who were sent off after receiving a red card in the match against Mohun Bagan Super Giant Club. Their absence will overshadow Mumbai's line-up in the match against Kerala Blasters.

Meanwhile, Kerala Blasters central midfielder Danish Farooq Butt, who was handed a one-match ban for four yellow cards, will return for the match against Mumbai. There is also a possibility of Prabir Das returning to the starting eleven.

The goalkeeper position is reserved for Sachin Suresh. In the last match against Punjab FC, Blasters fielded two foreign players, Marko Leskovic and Milos Drincic, in defense. The Kochi team may try this strategy to strengthen the defense against Mumbai City. Otherwise, Pritam Kotal may return to center defence. Ruiva Hormipam also had a good game in center defence.

Most notable is the return of Danish Farooq Butt in the midfield. Mohammad Azhar replaced Danish in central midfield against Punjab. If there is only one foreign player in the starting XI in defence, Daisuke Sakai will be in midfield. Dimitrios Diamantakos and Khwame Pepra will lead the attack.

Blasters Probable Starting XI Against Mumbai City: Goalkeeper: Sachin Suresh. Defence: Pritam Kotal, Milos Drincic/Prabir Das / Ruiva Hormipam, Marko Leskovic, Nocha Singh, Midfield: KP Rahul / Daisuke Sakai, Danish Farooq Butt, Vipin Mohanan, Mohammad Ayman. Forwards: Dimitrios Diamantakos, Khwame Pepra.