Punjab FC will take on Kerala Blasters FC on Sunday, January 5, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, at 7:30 pm IST. Both teams are striving to secure a much-needed win in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25.
Table of Contents
Current Form and Stakes
- Punjab FC:
- Positioned 8th with 18 points from 12 matches.
- On a three-match losing streak, conceding three or more goals in their last two games.
- A defeat would set an unwanted record of conceding three or more goals in three consecutive matches.
- Struggling with the absence of top scorers Luka Majcen and Ezequiel Vidal, who are suspended.
- Kerala Blasters FC:
- Positioned 10th with 14 points from 14 matches.
- Lost their last encounter 2-1 against Punjab FC earlier this season.
- Have conceded in their last 14 away matches, their longest such run.
Key Tactical Insights
Punjab FC: Defensive Strength
- Strong First-Half Performances: Conceded only six first-half goals this season, the joint-lowest in the league.
- Key Players:
- Ravi Kumar: Crucial in goal with standout performances.
- Nikhil Prabhu: Leads the league with 36 interceptions, 50 recoveries, and 23 clearances.
Kerala Blasters FC: Attacking Creativity
- Noah Sadaoui: A pivotal player with four assists, 24 key passes, and 28 chances created.
- Penalty Issues: Conceded five penalties this season, the most among all teams, highlighting a defensive vulnerability.
Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 3
- Punjab FC Wins: 2
- Kerala Blasters FC Wins: 1
Coaches’ Corner
- Panagiotis Dilmperis (Punjab FC):
“After losing three games, we cannot be satisfied. It’s a new game with different challenges, but we have to address this game like a regular one.” - TG Purushothaman (Kerala Blasters FC):
“We want to be positive and work as a team. We are planning to implement learnings from the last game.”
Key Players to Watch
- Suresh Meitei (Punjab FC): Strong defensive contributions with five interceptions and six clearances in his last match.
- Noah Sadaoui (Kerala Blasters FC): Leading his team with nine goal contributions and 72 ISL fantasy points this season.
Broadcast Details
Fans can catch the action live on:
- Streaming: JioCinema (English, Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam)
- Telecast: Sports 18-3, Sports 18-1, Sports 18-2, Asianet Plus, Star Sports 3
What’s at Stake?
- For Punjab FC, it’s a chance to break their losing streak and improve their home record.
- Kerala Blasters FC will aim to climb up the table and avoid extending their defensive woes.
Who will come out on top in this critical clash?
