ISL 2023-24: Odisha FC vs Kerala Blasters Preview, Head-To-Head, Lineup, Live Streaming and Telecast

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ISL 2023-24, Odisha FC vs Kerala Blasters: Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters will resume their ISL shield charge in the second half of the season as they battle for supremacy at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Friday (February 2).

Odisha FC are currently just two points behind Kerala Blasters, who are top of the table at the moment but may lose the spot after the Hyderabad FC vs FC Goa match on Wednesday. Alike Odisha FC, the Gaurs are two points away from the top spot too.

Match: Odisha FC vs Kerala Blasters
Kick-off time: 7:30 PM IST
Location: Bhubaneswar
Stadium: Kalinga Stadium
Date: February 2, 2023

Odisha FC vs Kerala Blasters: Head-to-Head Record

This will be 22nd encounter between the two sides in the ISL, including the matches when Odisha FC were known as Delhi Dynamos and were based out of the national capital. In the first leg of the season, Kerala Blasters defeated Odisha FC 2-1 at home with Dimitrios Diamantakos and Adrian Luna finding the net for the hosts in Kochin after Diego Mauricio scored an early goal for Odisha.

Matches Played in all competitions: 19

Kerala Blasters Win: 6

Odisha FC Win: 3

Draws: 10

Kerala Blasters Goals: 35

Odisha Kerala Blastersls: 26

Odisha FC vs Kerala Blasters Preview

KBFC return to Bhubaneswar after a disappointing campaign in the Super Cup recently, where they couldn't progress beyond the group stages. Pritam Kotal, Ishan Pandita, and Rahul KP were not with the Blasters as they were in Qatar for the AFC Asian Cup. Now, all three players are expected to rejoin the team.

Kerala already has a strong squad depth, even though they are important players. In their last four Indian Super League games, they were playing very well despite being without their ace number 10 Adria Luna, attacking midfielder Daisuke Sakai and pivot Jeakson Singh.

Due to a knee ailment, Luna has not been able to work since mid-December. On the other hand, Jeakson Singh has not been seen since October but is now back in the squad. They will also miss their key forward Kwame Peprah, who was recently ruled out for the rest of the season as well. To make up for the losses, the club has signed Lithuanian forward Fedor Cernych and recalled Emmanuel Justine from his loan spell at Gokulam Kerala.

On the other hand, Odisha FC have no damages going into the second half of ISL 2023-24 while their offensive play style has been their greatest asset. In just 12 games, they have already scored 22 goals. Diego Mauricio and Roy Krishna, two of their most productive strikers, have provided the team's last third with firepower.

In addition to the strikers, Mourtafa Fall, the center-back, is a crucial element in their system and has shown remarkable effectiveness in set pieces. Ahmed Jahouh, a midfielder, has helped both in defense and in creating offensive opportunities.

Odisha FC vs Kerala Blasters: Predicted Lineup

Odisha FC: Amrinder Singh (GK, C), Amey Ranawade, Narender Gehlot, Carlos Delgado, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Princeton Robello, Ahmed Jahouh, Lenny Rodrigues, Isak Ralte, Roy Krishna, Jerry Lalrinzuala

Kerala Blasters: Sachin Suresh (GK), Pritam Kotal, Marko Leskovic*, Milos Drincic*, Huidrom Naocha Singh, Vibin Mohanan, Mohammed Azhar, Mohammed Aimen, KP Rahul, Daisuke Sakai*, Dimitros Diamantakos* (C)

Odisha FC vs Kerala Blasters: Live Streaming and Telecast
Live Streaming: Jio Cinema
Telecast: Sports 18