Kerala Blasters will be facing a tough challenge in the form of Bengaluru FC in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) here at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Wednesday.
The two sides have a burgeoning rivalry between them and three points will be highly coveted despite the disparity in their positions on the table. Bengaluru have all but sealed their spot in the play-offs with 30 points from 13 games while Kerala Blasters are out of the running for the same (10 points from 14 games).
"The reason we are on top of the league is the work that we have put in as a whole. We take risks, but we know that we are taking risks. The final outcome is that we are on top of the league," Bengaluru head coach Carles Cuadrat said.
Bengaluru FC will be boasted with the possible return of Miku, and the new signing midfielder cum winger Luisma Villa -adding more versatility to their attack. However, the leaders do have concern on the long dry run by captain Sunil Chhetri who hasn't found the back of net last 600 plus minutes.
Cuadrat is likely to prefer Harmanjot Khabra at the full-back position over Rino Anto after the latter failed to impress against NorthEast United. While Nishu Kumar has begun training with the first team, it is unlikely that he would be handed a start.
"I feel that the rivalry is great and the atmosphere in Kerala was really nice. Their supporters were really vocal during the game, and even though they lost, after the game they gave us a good reception," Cudrat said.
It has been a season to forget for the Blasters with the team winless in 13 matches. In January, David James was replaced by Nelo Vingada as the team's head coach but the Portuguese tactician has not fared that well either, succumbing to a draw and a loss in his first two games in charge.
Kerala Blasters have been wasteful in converting chances this season. Off 139 chances created by Kerala this season, just 13 have been converted in goals. They also have the second worst defensive record with 23 goals leaked in.
The lack of imagination and guile going forward is something they need to rectify if the Men in Yellow are to breach a solid Bengaluru backline.
In defence, there is concern over Anas Edathodika's fitness and Sandesh Jhingan will need to marshall his troops well if Kerala are to notch their first ever win over Bengaluru FC. Full-back Lalruatthara will be forced to sit out the game due to his red card against Delhi Dynamos.
"I only look at the next match. The next match is always the most important match. The past is done. I need to see what's wrong and try to get better in the next match. I hope that we can go up by one or two positions. Now we need to look at recovering the confidence," Kerala Blasters head coach Nelo Vingada said before the game.
"With these players, we need to perform better, so I need to check what's wrong and get the best out of them," he added.
Kerala might have only pride to play for but the prospect of getting the better of a rival should be enough motivation for them. For Bengaluru, it will be about consolidating their supremacy atop the table.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
