Mohammedan SC search for home advantage
· Mohammedan SC enter this game after a 3-0 defeat in the iconic Kolkata derby against Mohun Bagan Super Giant. Andrey Chernyshov’s men have managed four points from their first four games, leaving them 10th on the points table.
· With two winless home results already, a win against Kerala Blasters can prevent them from joining the likes of Jamshedpur FC, East Bengal, and Punjab FC as teams without a home win in their first three games this season.
Kerala Blasters FC look to dispel concerns
· For Kerala Blasters FC, an away fixture has thrown up defensive challenges. Their last nine trips on the road have seen them concede at least one goal in each game, managing just one win. A victory on Sunday would not only break that trend but also mark a significant milestone, bringing them their third consecutive win in Kolkata, an unprecedented feat in their history.
· Their last two visits to the City of Joy were fruitful, with a 1-0 victory over Mohun Bagan Super Giant and a 2-1 win against East Bengal FC. Mikael Stahre’s side, currently seventh on the table, will be eager to maintain that momentum. A victory here would strengthen their chances of getting into the top-six and signal their intent for the rest of the season.
Head-to-Head
This will be the first face-off between Mohammedan SC and Kerala Blasters FC in the ISL. Kerala Blasters FC have defeated only one of the seven teams they faced for the first time ever in the league since the start of the 2017-18 season, with the latest victory coming against Punjab FC on December 14, 2023.
Additional Stories
Coach’s Corner
“KBFC are really good in attack”
Mohammedan SC head coach Andrey Chernyshov gave an in-depth analysis of the Kerala Blasters FC setup, but expressed confidence that his team is ready for the challenge for tomorrow.
“After a break we started our work for the game. We analysed Kerala Blasters. They are a good and strong team. They have players who have played for a long time in the ISL. This season they are doing well now. They are really good in attack because they score every match. It doesn’t matter if they play home or away because they score. We need to be ready for that. We worked in the training about it and spoke to the players. We’ll be ready for this situation tomorrow on the ground,” Chernyshov said in the pre-match press conference.
“We have to be humble and organised”
Kerala Blasters FC head coach Mikael Stahre admitted that Mohammedan SC are hungry for success. He insisted that his team will follow their tactical plan appropriately to get a positive outcome in Kolkata.
“Firstly all the ISL games are competitive. So we have to be humble and organised. They have the hunger and we have a lot of that too. My job is to prepare tactical things and pass on the energy and instructions to players. We have been practicing well during the international break. We are looking forward to travel to Kolkata and win the game,” Stahre said.
Key Players & Milestones
· Mohammedan’s Franca is chasing his first goal of the season, despite having an expected goal (xG) tally of 1.02, the third-highest for a player yet to score after matchweek 4.
· Amarjit Singh has been a bright spark for Mohammedan SC with eight blocks, which is the most by any Indian player this season.
● Kerala Blasters FC’s Kwame Peprah has been in commanding form, winning 77.8% of his duels this season. Only two players have a better success rate at the end of matchweek 4 – Bengaluru FC’s Ryan Edwards (83.3%) and Odisha FC’s Mourtada Fall (78.6%).
● Head coach Stahre is also on the brink of setting a managerial milestone, as he is unbeaten in his first two away games in the ISL. If the Kerala Blasters FC avoid defeat, Stahre will become only the 10th tactician to have gone unbeaten in their first three away games in the competition.
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