Kerala Blasters FC vs East Bengal FC preview: key players, head-to-head stats, and where to watch. A thrilling ISL 2024-25 clash in Kochi on September 22, 2024.
Preparations for Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 will certainly be heating up as Kerala Blasters FC and East Bengal FC are scheduled to clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on 22nd September 2024. One of the most eagerly anticipated initial fixtures of the season, both will look at posting their first win as they lock horns at 7:30 PM IST.
Kerala Blasters and East Bengal enter this match off a poor performance in the season opener. Kerala Blasters had lost 2-1 to Punjab FC, while East Bengal went down 1-0 to Bengaluru FC. It makes the task even more important for both teams, but particularly for Kerala Blasters, who will be playing at home in front of their passionate crowd.
Head-to-Head Record
Historically, Kerala Blasters have enjoyed a slight advantage over East Bengal in their previous encounters:
Matches Played – 8
Kerala Blasters Wins – 3
East Bengal Wins – 2
Draws – 3
Kerala Blasters: Home Advantage and a Need for Momentum
Kerala Blasters, with a new head coach at the helm in Mikael Stahre, would be eager for points. The season started on a heartbreaking note for Kerala Blasters when they had conceded a goal in the dying embers of a game at Punjab FC. To play at home is a boost for them. Kochi fans are never short of energy or encouraging displays and will want nothing less than a routine attack-heavy performance from their team.
Key strikers who are likely to penetrate the East Bengal back will be Jesus Jimenez, Rahul KP, and Mohammed Aimen. Blasters will be explosive in transitioning from the back to attack and will capitalize on their home ground.
East Bengal: Hungry for Redemption
Coming after a defeat on opening match day at the hands of Bengaluru FC, East Bengal are set to turn the tables in its favour by bouncing back against Aizawl. And ahead of this crucial encounter, head coach Carles Cuadrat is on tenterhooks knowing well that his team cannot drop another game while it has successive away games, hence making things tough right from the beginning of the season.
East Bengal will have to be much more clinical on the attacking end; they went fruitless mainly towards the final third of the pitch in this game against Bengaluru. Players like Naorem Mahesh Singh, Nandhakumar Sekar, and Dimitri Diamantakos shall have to find their mojo if Bengaluru is to be overcome, and a home victory will set up plenty of confidence for them going into the rest of the season.
Predicted Lineups
Kerala Blaster (4-2-3-1)
Sachin Suresh (GK); Sandeep Singh, Pritam Kotal, Milos Drincic, Aibanbha Dohling; Vibin Mohanan, Alexandre Coeff; Rahul KP, Noah Sadoui, Mohammed Aimen; Jesus Jimenez
East Bengal (4-3-3)
Prabhsukhan Gill (GK); Mohamed Rakip, Anwar Ali, Hijazi Maher, Mark Zothanpuia; Jeakson Singh, Saul Crespo, Madih Talal; Naorem Mahesh Singh, Nandhakumar Sekar, Dimitri Diamantakos
Tactical Battle End
This game might depend on which team is able to regulate the mid-game. Kerala Blasters can rely on Alexandre Coeff and Vibin Mohanan for regulating the tempo, while East Bengal will have Saul Crespo as his stability and creativity source in the center. The team that can do well with set plays will also play a big factor given both teams' defensive vulnerabilities that were exposed in the first match.
Where to Watch
The match will be on the Sports18 network and streamed live on the JioCinema app for fans eager to catch the action live.
