Goa: Kerala Blasters FC take on Odisha FC in match 50 of the Indian Super League(ISL) at the GMC stadium in Goa on Thursday(January 7).
The fixture will be one to watch out for as two bottom placed sides go against each other hoping to get back to their winning ways. Twice they faced each other back in the 2019-20 season and both the games ended in draws with first being with a mute scoreline while the other ended in 4-4 goal fest.
Kerala have been going through a disappointing campaign so far with just eight points from six matches.In terms of numbers, the Tuskers have managed to score just eight goals in the league till now having attempted only 20 shots on target, which is one of the lowest in the league .
Coach Kivu Vicuna will hope that his side to put a good show to lift the spirit. They lost 2-0 to league leaders Mumbai City FC in their last fixture, while scoring goals being the major concern for the side. However, youngsters like Jeakson Thounaojam, Sahal Abdul Samad and Nishu Kumar can create a lot of problems for their opponents.
Odisha on the other hand, will come into this game having lost to SC East Bengal 3-1 in their last fixture. Despite playing quite well, they lacked the final touch which costed them the game and are now placed at the bottom of the table. However, Diego Mauricio looked very sharp in that match and will hope to continue that against Kerala as well. Cole Alexander, being the main creative hub for his side will have to take a lot of responsibility on his shoulder to create goal scoring opportunities.
But with defender Jacobb Tartt struggling to find his form, they have to be cautious at the back as well or look for options in the transfer window. However, Coach Stuart Baxtor is quite optimistic about his side’s ability to bounce back and its no better time to go for it than in this fixture.
Kerala Blasters FC possible playing XI: Albino Gomes(GK), Sandeep Singh, Costa Nhamoinesu , Jessel Carneiro , Nishu Kumar , Jeakson Thounaojam , Vicente Gómez, Facundo Pereyra , Jordan Murray , Sahal Abdul Samad , Lalthathanga Khawlhring
Odisha FC possible playing XI: Arshdeep Singh(GK) , Jacob Tratt , Steven Taylor , Hendry Antonay , Shubham Sarangi , Gaurav Bora , Cole Alexander , Vinit Rai , Manuel Omwu , Diego Mauricio , Jerry Mawihmingthanga.
