Match Preview
An injury-riddled ATK Mohun Bagan might be seeking to rediscover its type because it takes on Kerala Blasters, in an Indian Super League (ISL) on the Salt Lake Stadium right here on Saturday.
Having secured solely 4 out of the doable 18 factors in its final six outings (a win, two attracts and three losses), ATK Mohun Bagan’s method to the knock-out stage immediately appears to have gone rudderless.
Injuries to its key foreigners seem like the bane of ATKMB, which has not been capable of finding acceptable names from the bench seeing its efficiency going right into a tailspin. ATKMB is presently positioned fifth with 28 factors from 18 matches and can proceed to fall down the rungs if it fails to select up sufficient factors in its remaining two matches.
With solely two spots remaining vacant within the six-team knock-out stage, the host doesn’t seem to have sufficient time to get well.
“This team needs to show character and it is a strong team. The recent results have been disappointing, but difficult situations provide the best moments to work on a plan for the future,” mentioned ATKMB head coach Juan Ferrando.
“We have to work together, follow the plan and forget about the previous results. That is what is best for the team. Everyone at the club wants to win the last two matches,” he added.
Ferrando needed to do with out the likes of Frenchman Hugo Boumous and India ahead Ashique Kuruniyan previously two matches. There is a risk that the Irish midfielder Carl McHugh could have to sit down out with an harm thereby rising the problem for Ferrando.
Unlike the host, Kerala Blasters has already ensured qualification to the knock-out stage after Chennaiyin FC beat FC Goa on Thursday.
With 31 factors from 18 matches, the third-placed Blasters might be seeking to cement its place including extra factors to its current tally. The Yellow Army may even be trying on the alternative to avenge the defeat it suffered towards the identical opposition within the first part of the event.
Moreover, it will likely be an opportunity for the Blasters to search out its first win towards ATKMB having misplaced 4 and drawn as soon as within the 5 conferences thus far.
“Even last year we qualified for the playoffs in the last game or the game before that so we are used to the pressure. Of course, the circumstances yesterday (Chennaiyin FC’s win over FC Goa) helped us to qualify for the playoffs but we still have two more games where we want to be strong and show that we are capable of being in the playoffs,” Kerala Blasters coach Ivan Vukomanovic mentioned about his staff’s upcoming match.
The Blasters might be with out their suspended Uruguayan ahead Adrian Luna within the match towards ATK Mohun Bagan.
-Amitabha Das Sharma
ATK Mohun Bagan vs Kerala Blasters Predicted XI
ATK Mohun Bagan: Vishal Kaith, Pritam Kotal, Brendan Hamill, Asish Rai, Slavko Damjanovic, Lalthathanga Khawlhring, Glan Martins, Federico Gallego, Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, Dimitri Petratos
Kerala Blasters: Prabhsukhan Gill, Nishu Kumar, Ruivah Hormipam, Victor Mongil, Jessel Carneiro, Jeakson Singh, Ivan Kaliuzhnyi, Sahal Samad, Adrian Luna, Rahul KP, Dimitrios Diamantakos
When and the place will the ATK Mohun Bagan vs Kerala Blasters ISL match kick-off?
The ATK Mohun Bagan vs Kerala Blasters ISL match will kick-off at 7:30 PM IST, February 18 on the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
Where are you able to watch the ATK Mohun Bagan vs Kerala Blasters ISL match?
The ATK Mohun Bagan vs Kerala Blasters ISL match might be reside telecasted on the Star Sports Network.
Where can you reside stream the ATK Mohun Bagan vs Kerala Blasters ISL match?
The ATK Mohun Bagan vs Kerala Blasters ISL match might be reside streamed on the Disney+Hotstar app and web site.
