ISL: Kerala Blasters FC Set to Clash with Odisha FC in Key Mid-Table Showdown

Kochi, Jan 12 (NationPress) Kerala Blasters FC is set to battle Odisha FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium this Monday. The Blasters aim to extend their unbeaten home streak against the Juggernauts, while Odisha FC looks to break their three-match winless run in the league.

A victory for Odisha would mark their fourth consecutive unbeaten game against the Kerala side, matching their previous unbeaten stretch from November 2019 to February 2021.

Kerala Blasters FC have shown strength at home, having kept a clean sheet in their last match (3-0 against Mohammedan SC). However, they have not managed to achieve back-to-back home clean sheets since 2019. On the other hand, Odisha FC's last lengthy winless streak was four matches in early 2023. They will be eager to improve their away performance and climb up the league table.

Currently, Odisha FC holds the seventh position in the standings with 21 points from 15 matches, having secured five wins and drawn six. Kerala Blasters FC follows closely in ninth place with 17 points from the same number of games. Both teams are striving to remain competitive for playoff positions, as sixth-placed Mumbai City FC has accumulated 23 points from 14 matches, making this match critical in the mid-season phase.

Odisha FC ranks as the third-highest scoring team in the league, netting 29 goals, led by Diego Mauricio with seven goals. Kerala Blasters FC sits sixth in scoring with 23 goals. Despite this, both teams have only managed three clean sheets each, indicating defensive issues.

Kerala Blasters FC has relinquished 15 points from winning positions against Odisha FC in the ISL, the highest they have conceded to any single opponent. This suggests that the Juggernauts seldom find themselves out of contention against the Kerala side, even when the match momentum shifts momentarily.

Noah Sadaoui has been pivotal for Kerala Blasters FC, contributing 10 goals (6 goals, 4 assists) and earning eight points for the team. The Blasters remain unbeaten in matches where Sadaoui has scored this season (W4 D2), including their earlier encounter with Odisha FC.

Sergio Lobera has achieved nine victories in 12 matches against Kerala Blasters FC in the ISL (D2 L1). Another win would make him the first manager in the league's history to achieve 10 wins against a single opponent.

Odisha FC has scored 11 goals from set pieces this season, the second-highest tally, while Kerala Blasters have conceded 12 from set pieces, the most in the league. This is an area the home side needs to address to counter Lobera's tactical edge, bolstered by Mourtada Fall, who has scored four goals this season, the second-most in the entire Odisha FC squad.

Kerala Blasters FC’s interim head coach T G Purushothaman urged his players to execute their plans cohesively on the field.

"We must operate as a team. It's essential to stay focused and overcome any challenges ahead," he emphasized.

Odisha FC’s head coach Sergio Lobera echoed the sentiment, calling for his team to present a united front against Kerala Blasters FC in the upcoming match.

"We cannot focus on just one or two players; it’s about teamwork in the end. We need to press high, maintain possession, and prevent them from dominating our half," he stated.