Kerala Blasters all set to play 200th ISL game. Will they conquer formidable Bengaluru?

Kerala Blasters will play their 200th Indian Super League (ISL) match on Saturday (7-12-2024) when they take on Bengaluru FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.

Blasters head coach Mikael Stahre will be hoping to mark the special occasion with a win but finds their work cut out as Bengaluru have an unbeaten home record against their arch-rivals, with five wins in six matches.

The Blasters' form is also a worry, as they have lost four of the recent five matches, including a 1-3 defeat to Bengaluru in Kochi on October 25. Bengaluru are second in the points table, nine points ahead of the Blasters.

Gerard Zaragoza's side has only lost twice this season, but they have kept their home a fortress intact with four wins – all with clean sheets -- and a draw thus far. They have scored ten and conceded just two.

Bengaluru skipper Sunil Chhetri said: “The first time we played in Kerala, I didn’t expect it (the fixture) to grow as much as it has. It’s one of the best games to watch, whether it’s played in Kochi or Bengaluru. People put a check list on their calendar for this match and I’m sure it will be the same tomorrow.”

The Blasters would be wary for their former striker Jorge Pereyra Diaz, who had netted five times against them. While the Blasters defence led by Milos Drincic will be hoping to stop Diaz from adding to his goal tally, the Manjappada would want its forward line comprising Jesus Jimenez and Noah Sadaoui to restart scoring after a rare blank last week against FC Goa.