Jamshedpur, December 28: Jamshedpur FC will host Kerala Blasters FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on December 29, Sunday, at the JRD Tata Sports Complex at 7:30 pm IST.

The two teams head into this clash on the back of identical run of forms, having won twice and lost thrice in their last five matches. Jamshedpur FC are eighth in the points table with 18 points from 11 games, due to six victories. Kerala Blasters FC are placed 10th, garnering 14 points from 13 games, courtesy of four wins and a couple of draws.

This will be the 17th ISL meeting between the two sides, with Kerala Blasters FC aiming to extend their recent form against Jamshedpur FC.

Kerala Blasters FC are unbeaten in their last six ISL encounters with Jamshedpur FC (W4 D2), scoring at least once in each of those games. Both these sides have issues to fix at the back, since Kerala Blasters FC have conceded 24 goals as compared to the 22 of Jamshedpur FC. The two teams will particularly want to wrap up the year on a positive note, taking some positive tailwind ahead with them into 2025 so that they can close out the gap with the top-6. In fact, the Men of Steel are tied on points (18) with the sixth-placed NorthEast United FC, suggesting the closely-fought battle unfolding in the middle of the standings at the moment.

Jamshedpur FC’s attacking consistency

• Home goals streak: Jamshedpur FC have scored in each of their last eight home matches in the ISL, their longest such streak in the competition. They have netted at least twice in six of these games. Javi Siverio leads the goal-scoring charts for the team with four strikes, as Jordan Murray and Javi Hernandez follow him with three goals each to their name.

• Defensive vulnerabilities: Despite their attacking prowess, the Men of Steel have conceded in seven of their last eight home matches, highlighting their need for defensive improvement. Kerala Blasters FC, who have found the back of the net 10 times in their last five clashes, will have their sights set on exploiting this drawback of Jamshedpur FC.

Kerala Blasters FC’s away form and scoring prowess

• Kerala Blasters’ away scoring streak: Kerala Blasters FC have scored exactly two goals in each of their last five away matches, their longest such run, though they have also conceded three or more in their last three away games. Whether they manage their dynamism upfront with some discipline at the back will have an impact in the outcome of this match.

• Prolific second-half scoring: Kerala Blasters FC have scored a league-high 18 second-half goals this season, compensating for their slow starts with just four first-half goals. Jamshedpur FC would know that they cannot afford to let their guards down in the second essay of the play, and might have to introduce fresh legs early on to sustain the intensity of the proceedings.

Coaches Corner

“It’s like do-or-die for us”

Jamshedpur FC head coach Khalid Jamil asserted the importance of securing a positive result in this match against Kerala Blasters FC.

“I am focusing on our team, because we want to do well, so we must think positively. We need to concentrate in our game, since it’s like a do-or-die situation for us,” Jamil said.

“We are concentrating on winning games”

Kerala Blasters FC interim head coach T. G. Purushothaman echoed similar thoughts, acknowledging Jamshedpur FC’s strength at home.

“We are concentrating on winning games. We want to win all the matches and that’s what we are preparing towards. Jamshedpur FC are a good side at home and let’s see how we can achieve (a win),” Purushothaman said.

Head-to-Head

In the 16 matches between these two teams, Kerala Blasters FC have won five, while Jamshedpur FC have won three. Eight games have ended in draws.

Key Players & Milestones

• Adrian Luna has recorded four goal contributions (3 goals, 1 assist) in this fixture and is one contribution away from equalling Dimitrios Diamantakos’ record for the most goal involvements in matches against Jamshedpur FC.

• Jamshedpur FC goalkeeper Albino Gomes leads the league with 49 saves, including 32 from inside the box, providing a strong defensive foundation for the Men of Steel.

• With nine goals in his first 12 ISL matches, Jesus Jimenez is on the verge of becoming the fastest Kerala Blasters fc player to score 10 goals, beating Diamantakos’ record of doing so in 19 games.

• Jamshedpur FC’s Stephen Eze has been a standout performer, averaging 6.9 clearances per game this season, the highest in the league. His efforts will be key to keeping Kerala Blasters FC at bay.

ISL Fantasy

Javi Hernandez (9.4cr)

The attacking midfielder has earned the most ISL fantasy points (54) for Jamshedpur FC this season

Noah Sadaoui (11.3cr)

The Kerala Blasters FC star has bagged the highest ISL fantasy points (70) in his team in 2024-25