In the third round of ISL 2024-25, NorthEast United will welcome Kerala Blasters at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday (September 29).

Both teams have won one of the two matches they played. The home teams had defeated Mohammedan SC in their first game but suffered a loss against Mohun Bagan SG in the next match. The Kerala Blasters lost their opening match against Punjab FC but made a comeback against East Bengal by scoring a last-minute winner.

For the last three seasons, the Highlanders have failed to reach the playoffs, but this season, they bolstered their attacking power by signing quality forwards in an attempt to improve their position. Despite having a strong forward line, defence remains a concern for them.

After winning the last match the Yellow Army will try to keep up their winning momentum in their first away match of the season. With Mikael Stahre at the helm, Kerala Blasters will hope to win the title for the very first time.

NorthEast United vs Kerala Blasters ISL 2024-25 Schedule

Date: Sunday, September 29
Time: 7:30 pm IST
Venue: Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati

NorthEast United vs Kerala Blasters: H2H Record, Last Meeting

Played: 20
NorthEast United Wins: 5
Kerala Blasters Wins: 8
Draw: 7

Last Meeting: NorthEast United 2:0 Kerala Blasters

In the last season, both teams met each other three times, and NorthEast United remained undefeated with two wins.

NorthEast United vs Kerala Blasters: Team News, Injury Update

Though recently the Highlanders’ camp got affected by flu after the match against Mohun Bagan, Juan Pedro Benali can expect a fully fit squad for the match, as there is no injury concern. Kerala Blasters may miss the service of Adrian Kurala despite his travelling and training with the team.

Alaeddin Ajaraie, the 31-year-old Moroccan forward, is the key player for the Highlanders. He already scored 2 goals in this ISL. His dribbling and playmaking ability could be detrimental to the opponents. Also presence of other forwards and attacking midfielders like Jithin M. S., Parthiv Gogoi, Guillermo Fernandez made this team very lethal in the final third.

Defensively the Yellow Army are superior to the Highlanders. The presence of Pritam Kotal and Milos Drincic has helped them to build a strong defence. In the attack, Jesus Jimenez and Kwame Peprah will be the main players. Yet the control of the midfield will be in the hand of the newly signed Moroccan forward Noah Sadaoui, who has been impressive so far and already scored a goal against East Bengal FC.

NorthEast United vs Kerala Blasters: Predicted Playing XI

NorthEast United (4-2-3-1): Gurmeet Singh; Dinesh Singh, Asheer Akhtar, Michel Zobaco, Tondonba Singh; Mohammed Ali Bemammer, Mayakkannan Muthu; Parthiv Gogoi, Guillermo Fernandez, Jithin M. S.; Alaeddine Ajaraie

Kerala Blasters (4-3-3): Sachin Suresh; Sandeep Singh, Pritam Kotal, Milos Drincic, Aibanbha Dohling; Vibin Mohanan, Alexandre Coeff, Rahul KP; Noah Sadaoui, Mohammed Aimen; Jesus Jimenez

NorthEast United vs Kerala Blasters Prediction

NorthEast United 2:1 Kerala Blasters