Kerala Blasters FC vs Mohammedan SC: Aiming for a League Double in ISL 2024-25

The Kerala Blasters FC (KBFC) are set to face Mohammedan SC (MSC) in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on Sunday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. The match kicks off at 7:30 pm IST. KBFC previously defeated MSC 2-1 in their last encounter on October 21, 2024, and are looking to achieve a league double, a feat they have only accomplished once before against FC Pune City in 2014.

Despite their previous victory, KBFC enters the match on a challenging note, having lost their last three games. They recently parted ways with head coach Mikael Stahre and are keen to avoid matching their longest losing streak of four games from the 2022-23 season. Currently, KBFC stands 10th in the points table with 11 points from 12 games, while MSC is at the bottom with five points from 11 matches.

Noah Sadaoui has been a standout player for KBFC, directly contributing to eight goals this season. His performance will be crucial for the team to regain their winning form. However, KBFC's defense has been a concern, with the lowest save rate in the league and conceding 46 shots on target.

Mohammedan SC has struggled offensively, failing to score in their last two matches. They have scored only five goals this season, with just 20% coming from their strikers. Strengthening their defense will be key against KBFC's strong forward line, which accounts for 79% of the team's goals.

KBFC's interim head coach, T. G. Purushothaman, emphasized the need to perform well at home, acknowledging that every team has its strengths and weaknesses. Meanwhile, MSC's head coach, Andrey Chernyshov, expressed confidence in his players' professionalism and commitment.

Key players to watch include KBFC's Jesus Jimenez, who has scored nine goals this season, and MSC's Florent Ogier, who boasts a 92.3% tackle success rate. MSC's Franca, known for earning fouls, could create set-piece opportunities for his team.