Kerala Blasters and NorthEast United FC will lock horns today, i.e., 26th November, in what will be the second game for both the teams.
For NorthEast United, the Highlanders will be high on confidence after beating a star-studded Mumbai City FC who were the favourites to win that match. The team will be looking forward to keeping up with their disciplined play and pounce on the opponent’s mistakes to get another victory and keep up the momentum with a perfect start to their campaign.
Kerala Blasters on the other hand will be looking for their first victory of the season after a narrow 0-1 loss against a formidable ATK Mohun Bagan side in the season opener. They will be counting on the discipline they showed in the first game, adding Kibu Vicuña’s experience to the mix.
3 INDIAN PLAYERS AND 3 FOREIGN PLAYERS TO LOOK OUT FOR FROM KERALA BLASTERS FC
Now talking about the players to look out for from each team, let’s start with Kerala Blasters FC first.
The three Indian players to look out for will be Nongdamba Naorem, Puitea, and Nishu Kumar. After an impressive display in the opener, Naorem will be looking to continue and help the team to victory. Puitea after a disciplined and decent performance in the opener will be raring to go against his former team and continue his good touch. Nishu Kumar will be looking to get involved. Although he might not play the full match, his involvement will provide Blasters a much needed boost, adding more power and flair to the team.
If Rahul KP can prove his fitness and be involved then he will also be the one on the lookout. However, as per the news the management might not risk playing him.
The three foreigners to be looked out for are Vicente Gómez, Facundo Pereyra, and Jordan Murray. Vicente Gomez will be looking to continue from the opener and add his experience, providing defensive strength in the mid-field. Coming in the second half against ATK Mohun Bagan, Facundo, and Murray’s presence changed the dynamics of the team. The team made good counter-attacks in the dying minutes of the game. Thus, Facundo Pereyra will be looking for a spot in the starting XI, adding versatility and providing much-needed assists to Hooper and other team-mates. Jordan Murray might also get his chance and provide a much-needed boost in the final third of the pitch.
Costa, after his heroics in the opener will be looking to continue on from where he left off.
3 INDIAN PLAYERS AND 3 FOREIGN PLAYERS TO LOOK OUT FOR FROM NORTHEAST UNITED FC
The three Indian players to look out for will be Ashutosh Mehta, Gurjinder Kumar, and Apuia. With a solid display in defense, Ashutosh will be looking forward to continuing his form and help the team again. Gurjinder Kumar will be looking for a better defensive display and help the team again with a clean sheet. Apuia, after good matured display in the first match will look to impress the fans and manager and help the team again.
Speaking about the 3 foreigners to look out for, Dylan Fox with a solid defensive display against Mumbai City FC will again be looking for a strong performance in partnership with Benjamin Lambot. Lambot was pivotal in defense and was as solid as his partner Dylan Fox. He will be another one to look out for. Khassa Camara with a strong display in mid-field, keeping Mumbai city mid-field quiet will be another one to look out for.
INJURIES
For Kerala Blasters, Nishu Kumar and Rahul KP are the concerns. With minor injuries, both might get a chance if proved fit, providing a much-needed boost to the team. However, the management might not risk playing them. Coach Kibu in his press conference told “They will be back when they are 100 percent fit. They are very important players for us and we are very happy that we have them both in our team”
NorthEast United don’t have any concerns and the team looks perfectly balanced.
EXPECTED LINEUP OF KERALA BLASTERS FC
4-2-3-1 Formation
Albino Gomes (GK), Jessel Carneiro (LB), Costa Nhamoinesu (LCB), Bakary Koné (RCB), Nishu Kumar (RB), Vicente Gómez (LDM), Jeakson Singh (RDM), Nongdamba Naorem (LW), Facundo Pereyra (CAM), Ritwik Kumar (RW), Gary Hooper (ST)
Subs: Prabhsukhan Gill, Seityasen Singh, Rohit Kumar, Jordan Murray, Sahal Abdul Samad, Sergio Cidoncha, Puitea, Lalruatthara, Prasanth K
EXPECTED LINEUP OF NORTHEAST UNITED FC
4-3-3 Formation
Subhashish Roy (GK), Gurjinder Kumar (LB), Benjamin Lambot (CB), Dylan Fox (CB), Ashutosh Mehta (RB), Khassa Camara (CM), Lalengmawia (LM), Lalrempuia (RM), Luis Machado (LW), Ninthoi(RW), Kwesi Appiah (ST)
Subs: Gurmeet Singh, Provat Lakra, Nim Dorjee, Rakesh Pradhan, Federico Gallego, Britto Pm, Imran Khan, Idrissa Sylla, Mashoor Thangalkath
Head To Head
(Won) KBFC 5 – 3 NEUFC
(Lost) KBFC 3 – 5 NEUFC
(Tied) KBFC 4 – 4 NEUFC
(Goals Scored) KBFC 12 – 7 NEUFC
Predictions
The game might prove to be a cracker, providing another level of excitement and drama. Both teams look good on paper with Kerala having a slight edge in terms of experience.
A disciplined game in the opener, Kerala Blasters will be looking to go all guns blazing. With a lack of finishing in the final third in the first game, KBFC will be looking to improve upon and have a much better display.
NEUFC on the other hand will be high on confidence after beating a strong Mumbai City side. They will be looking to continue on from the first game and notch up yet another win.
Speaking of the scoreline, we are predicting a draw.
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