ISL 2018-19: Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters | Match Preview, Predictions, Live Streaming & Where to watch details
Kerala Blasters will head to the Garden City as they face Bengaluru FC, last season's runners-up of the Indian Super League at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, this Wednesday evening.
Bengaluru FC is without doubt, the best performers of the league this season and that is reflected in their position atop the ISL Standings. The team met with its first defeat after the league resumed in January, to Mumbai City. Keeping that aside, BFC has dominated most of the matches they have played, justifying their standing.
BFC is at the top of the table, with 30 points from 13 games.
Kerala Blasters is undergoing a season where they have had nothing right. Coming to the closure of the year, Blasters has very few positives to take out, with Sahal Abdul Samad and Mohammed Rakip being the rare bright spots in a grey season for the Blasters.
Being winless after the season opener, KBFC has changed their manager, made no game-changing signings and lost the support of their fan club. All these have happened due to the poor performance of the team which has led them to the 9th position on the ISL standings, with 10 points from 14 games.
ALSO SEE: ISL Standings | ISL Schedule | ISL Results
Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters: Match Information
Date: 6 February 2019
Kickoff: 7:30 PM IST
Live Stream: Star Sports Network and Hotstar
Live commentary: Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters Live Score | Commentary and Updates
Venue: Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru
Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters: Team News
Bengaluru FC
Chencho Gyeltshen has been loaned out to Neroca FC. Luisma Villa, his replacement, is expected to take his place on the bench alongside Miku, who could feature in an ISL matchday for the first time since November. Young Edmund Lalrindika could be in line for his first start in the ISL.
Kerala Blasters
Lalruatthara is suspended in the Blasters lineup, following a red card in the previous game.
Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters: Probable Lineups
Bengaluru FC (4-2-3-1): Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Harmanjot Khabra, Albert Serran, Juanan, Rahul Bheke, Dimas Delgado, Erik Paartalu, Kean Lewis, Udanta Singh, Sunil Chhetri, Edmund Lalrindika
Kerala Blasters (4-3-3): Dheeraj Singh, Cyril Kali, Sandesh Jhingan, Nemanja Lakic-Pesic, Mohammed Rakip, Sahal Abdul Samad, Nikola Krcmarevic, Prasanth Karuthadathkuni, Seiminlen Doungel, Slavisla Stojanovic, Matej Poplatnik
Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters: Form Guide
Bengaluru FC: W-L-W-D-D
Kerala Blasters: L-D-L-L-D
Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters: Head-to-Head
Bengaluru FC: 3
Kerala Blasters: 0
Draw: 0
Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters: Key Players
Bengaluru FC
Bengaluru FC would have important roles assigned to Sunil Chhetri in the attack and Erik Paartalu in the midfield. While Chhetri has 5 goals for the Blues this season, Paartalu has made his presence felt more defensively. Even with 2 goals against his name, the Australian midfielder has a passing accuracy of 78%.
Kerala Blasters
The troubled Blasters side will want Sahal Abdul Samad and Matej Poplatnik to be at the top of their games. While the inclusion of these players is not sure due to the winless streak, they will play vital roles, if in the lineup. Poplatnik has scored 2 goals this season and Sahal has been lethal with his passing. Both would be of great use while facing BFC.
Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters: Predictions
Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters was one of the most watched matches until some time back has lost its glamour partly due to the unimpressive performances of the latter side.
However, Blasters cannot be ruled out completely and does have the personnel to be able to bounce back. But, in the current scenario, overcoming the Bengaluru challenge might be difficult and the West Block Blues are expected to celebrate again.
Predicted Score - Bengaluru FC 3:1 Kerala Blasters