ISL Match Prediction Kerala Blasters FC vs. Punjab FC, Feb 12

Match Details 

Teams: Kerala Blasters FC vs. Punjab FC

Stadium: Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kochi, Kerala, India

Series: India Super League (ISL)

Hours of play: 19:30

Match day: Monday, February 12, 2024

Probable Starting 11

Kerala Blasters FC (4-4-2)

• Goalkeeper: Gill (With Shreyas unable to replicate Gill’s performances recently)
• Defense: Sanadi, Hormipam, Marko Lešković, Jessel Carneiro
• Midfield: Sahal Abdul Samad, Ayush Adhikari, Jeakson Singh, Bryce Miranda
• Attack: Dimitrios Diamantakos, Nishu Kumar

Reasoning

• Goalkeeper: Gill has been the preferred choice in recent matches and is likely to continue.
• Defense: Sanadi and Hormipam have been a solid pair at the back, while Lešković is back from injury and Carneiro is a regular starter.
• Midfield: Sahal, Adhikari, and Jeakson Singh have been key contributors in recent games, while Miranda offers pace and creativity on the wing.
• Attack: Diamantakos has been in good form and is the team’s top scorer, while Nishu Kumar has impressed with his work rate and pressing.

Factors to consider

• Injuries: Adrian Luna and Kwame Peprah are both ruled out due to injuries, which could lead to changes in midfield or attack.
• Form: The coach might choose players based on their recent form, which could see changes in certain positions.
• Tactics: The coach might choose a different formation or playing style depending on the opponent.

Punjab FC (4-3-3)

• Goalkeeper: Kiran Limbu (proven experience over young Kabir Singh)
• Defense: Ashish Rai, Sandesh Jhingan, Adil Khan, Bikramjit Singh
• Midfield: Brandon Fernandes, Suraj Bhanot, Jose Manuel Diaz
• Attack: Juanma García, Daniel McMillan, Faisal Ali

Reasoning

• Goalkeeper: Limbu’s experience is crucial, especially against a strong Kerala attack.
• Defense: Jhingan and Adil Khan form a solid center-back partnership, while Rai and Bikramjit Singh offer pace on the flanks.
• Midfield: Fernandes is the creative hub, Bhanot provides defensive solidity, and Diaz adds attacking threat.
• Attack: García has been Punjab’s main goal scorer, McMillan offers physicality and link-up play, and Ali provides pace and directness.

Factors to consider

• Injuries: No major injuries reported, but Prabhsukhan Gill and Aniket Jadhav might miss out.
• Form: Certain players like Bikramjit Singh and Jose Manuel Diaz have improved in recent matches.
• Tactics: Coach can opt for a more defensive approach with a 4-4-2 or switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Teams Head to Head: Recent Matches 

Date	Team 1	Score	Team 2
Dec 14, 2023	Punjab	0-1	Kerala Blasters
Apr 8, 2023	Kerala Blasters	3-1	Punjab

Teams Recent Performance 

Last 5 Games of Kerala Blasters FC

Date	Tournament	Team 1	Score	Team 2
27/12/23	ISL	Mohun Bagan	0-1	Kerala Blasters
10/01/24	ASC	Kerala Blasters	3-1	Shillong Lajong
15/01/24	ASC	Kerala Blasters	2-3	Jamshedpur
20/01/24	ASC	Kerala Blasters	1-4	NorthEast United
02/02/24	ISL	Odisha	2-1	Kerala Blasters

Last 5 Games of Punjab FC

Date	Tournament	Team 1	Score	Team 2
26/12/23	ISL	Punjab	0-1	Odisha
11/01/24	ASC	Chennaiyin	1-1	Punjab
16/01/24	ASC	Mumbai City	3-2	Punjab
21/01/24	ASC	Punjab	0-0	Gokulam Kerala
03/02/24	ISL	Punjab	3-1	Bengaluru

Topscorers Statistics in I-League 2023/2024

Kerala Blasters FC

Player	Goals (G)	Penalty Goals (PG)
D. Diamantakos	8	2
A. Luna	3	0
D. Farooq	2	0
K. Peprah	2	0
M. Drinčić	1	0

Punjab FC

Player	Goals (G)	Penalty Goals (PG)
L. Majcen	4	0
M. Talal	2	0
M. Assisi	1	0
D. Chatziisaias	1	0
W. Jordán	1	0

General Statistics

	Kerala Blasters			Punjab
	Total	Home	Away	Total	Home	Away
Rank	3			10
Matches played	13	7	6	13	6	7
Wins	8	5	3	2	2	0
Draws	2	2	0	5	2	3
Losses	3	0	3	6	2	4
Goals for	18	12	6	12	6	6
Goals against	12	6	6	19	5	14
Points	26	17	9	11	8	3
Clean sheets	5	3	2	3	1	2
Avg. goals scored p/m	1.38	1.71	1	0.92	1	0.86
Avg. goals conceded p/m	0.92	0.86	1	1.46	0.83	2
Avg. time 1st goal scored	40m	45m	32m	52m	56m	49m
Avg. time 1st goal conced.	43m	29m	58m	41m	44m	39m
Failed to score	1	0	1	5	2	3
Biggest victory	2 – 0	2 – 0	1 – 0	3 – 1	3 – 1	–
Biggest defeat	1 – 2	–	1 – 2	1 – 5	0 – 1	1 – 5

Kerala Blasters FC vs. Punjab FC: Winning Prediction

Kerala Blasters FC

• Current form: They’ve had a mixed bag of results lately, with 2 wins in their last 8 matches.
• Strengths: Strong home record (7 wins in 10 home games), solid defense (conceded only 1 goal in their last 3 home games).
• Weaknesses: Inconsistent attack, prone to lapses in concentration.

Punjab FC

• Current form: They’ve shown signs of improvement, winning their last game against Bengaluru FC.
• Strengths: Determined fighting spirit, young and energetic squad.
• Weaknesses: Lack of experience, poor away record (only 1 win in 10 away games).

Head-to-head record

Kerala Blasters FC dominates with 2 wins in their previous 2 encounters.

Home advantage

Playing at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi, Kerala Blasters FC will enjoy strong crowd support.

Analysis

While Kerala Blasters FC has the home advantage and a better head-to-head record, their recent inconsistency raises concerns. Punjab FC, on the other hand, is riding a confidence wave after their last win, but their away form remains a worry.

Prediction

Considering all factors, Kerala Blasters FC has a slight edge due to home advantage and a superior head-to-head record. However, Punjab FC should not be underestimated, and the match could be closer than expected.

India Super League ISL Table on 05/02/2024

#	Team	MP	W	D	L	F	A	D	P*
1	Goa	11	8	3	0	18	5	13	27
2	Odisha	13	8	3	2	24	13	11	27
3	Kerala Blasters	13	8	2	3	18	12	6	26
4	Mumbai City	12	6	4	2	20	12	8	22
5	Mohun Bagan	11	6	2	3	21	16	5	20
6	Jamshedpur	14	3	4	7	16	18	-2	13
7	NorthEast United	13	2	7	4	14	19	-5	13
8	East Bengal	11	2	6	3	13	10	3	12
9	Chennaiyin	12	3	3	6	15	22	-7	12
10	Punjab	13	2	5	6	12	19	-7	11
11	Bengaluru	13	2	5	6	13	22	-9	11
12	Hyderabad	12	0	4	8	5	21	-16	4

* MP – Matches Played; W – Wins; D – Draws; L – Losses; F – Goals For (the number of goals the team has scored); A – Goals Against (the number of goals the team has conceded); D – Goals Difference (Goals scored – Goals conceded); P – Points.

Report About Stadium 

The Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, also known as Kaloor Stadium, is a significant multi-purpose venue located in Kochi, Kerala, India. Completed in 1996 by the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), the stadium features a distinctive design with triple-tiered stands, a sloping topography, and a contemporary roof structure.

With a seating capacity of 60,000 spectators, the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium is renowned as one of the noisiest football stadiums globally. However, for Indian Super League matches, the capacity is restricted to 39,000.

In addition to its sporting significance, the stadium incorporates eco-friendly features such as rainwater harvesting systems, solar panels for energy generation, and effective waste management practices. Over the years, it has hosted numerous national and international sporting events, symbolizing India’s passion for sports. Beyond sports, the stadium has also been a venue for concerts by renowned artists and bands, adding cultural significance to its legacy.

With a history rich in historic sporting moments, the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium remains an iconic symbol of Kochi. Whether echoing with the cheers of football fans or resonating with the melodies of music, the stadium stands as a testament to the vibrant spirit of the city and its people.

About Indian Super League (ISL)

The Indian Super League (ISL) is the men’s highest level of the Indian football league system. It was founded on 21 October 2013 with the aim of growing the sport of football in India and increasing its exposure in the country. The league is co-promoted by Reliance, Star India, and supported by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

The ISL began play in October 2014 with eight teams. During its first three seasons, the competition operated without official recognition from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which is the governing body for the sport in Asia. It was structured along the same lines as the Indian Premier League, the country’s premier Twenty20 franchise-based cricket competition. Each season lasted just three months, from October to December, and matches were held daily.

However, before the 2017–18 season, the league expanded to ten teams, extended its schedule to six months, and earned recognition from the AFC. The season runs from September to March and includes a 22-round regular season followed by playoffs involving the top six teams, culminating with the ISL Final to determine the champions. At the end of the regular season, the team with the most points is declared the premiers and presented with the League Winners’ Shield.

Currently, the league comprises 12 clubs. ISL clubs gain qualification to the Asian continental club competitions; regular-season premiers qualify directly for the subsequent season’s AFC Cup group stage. The league has received unmatched visibility in a short span of time and is speculated to be one of the top-tier leagues in India after the I-League.