ISL 2023-24: Kerala Blasters vs Punjab FC: Preview, Predicted lineup, injury news, H2H, telecast details

In the previous ISL meeting, Kerala Blasters emerged victorious over Punjab FC.

The Indian Super League (ISL) action returns to God’s own country for the first time since December, 2023. Kochi will see hosts Kerala Blasters take on the ISL’s latest entrants Punjab FC in a must-win clash.

This will be Punjab FC’s first-ever trip to Kochi and Kerala Blasters and their fans will certainly want to give them an experience to remember. It is going to be a thrilling contest as Punjab will be keen to settle scores while Kerala Blasters will want to get back to winning ways.

On that note, let us take a look at how things stand.

The Stakes

Kerala Blasters FC

Kerala Blasters had a high-flying campaign in the first half of the Indian Super League season. They won a lot of games and maintained a very good position in the top six (at times they were table toppers too!). However, things have changed drastically ever since the turn of the year.

They had a forgetful Kalinga Super Cup campaign where they lost two and won just one game in three. They come into this game following a 2-1 defeat to Odisha FC where they were initially leading. Moreover, injuries to key players haven’t helped their cause either, making things even more difficult for them.

Punjab FC

Punjab FC on the other hand, have started 2024 on the right footing. The league’s latest entrants have been in really good form ever since the turn of the year and will be keen to maintain their good run of performances in the matches to come.

They pulled off a 3-1 comeback win over Bengaluru FC and registered their second victory of the season. Punjab FC are currently running high on confidence and can damage Kerala Blasters’ hope for a comeback.

Injury and Team News

Kerala Blasters will miss Kwame Peprah and Vibin Mohanan due to injuries while Punjab FC are expected to have a fully fit squad available for selection.

Head-to-head

Total Matches played – 1

Kerala Blasters FC Wins – 1

Punjab FC Wins – 0

Draws – 0

Predicted Line-up

Kerala Blasters FC 

Sachin Suresh, Pritam Kotal, Milos Drincic, Marko Leskovic, Naocha Singh, Mohammed Azhar, Danish Farooq, Daisuke Sakai, Mohammed Aimen, Rahul KP, Dimitrios Diamantakos

Punjab FC

Kiran Chemjong (GK), K Lhungdim, Suresh Meitei, Dimitros Chatziisaias, Nitesh Darjee; Prashant K, Ashis Pradhan, Nikhil Prabhu, Krishnananda Singh; Jordan Wilmar Gil, Luka Majcen.

Players to watchout

Dimitrios Diamantakos (Kerala Blasters FC)

The Greek forward has been Kerala Blasters’ goal machine this season. Despite being injured at the start of the season, Diamantakos has made a significant impact for the Blasters post that. He has scored eight goals in the league so far and is second in the race for the Golden Boot. He has an excellent work rate and a goal conversion rate of 35%.

Madih Talal (Punjab FC)

The midfielder has played a key role for Punjab FC this season. He is their creator-in-chief and is involved in almost every attacking move. He is an absolute work horse and has two goals and three assists to show for his efforts. He might not start but involve in a cameo later in the fixture.

Did You Know?

• Kerala Blasters won the first leg 1-0 in Delhi
• Kerala Blasters have lost three consecutive games across all competitions prior to this game
• Punjab FC have two wins in their last three ISL matches

Telecast

The Kerala Blasters vs Punjab FC game kicks off at 7:30 PM IST, at JLN Stadium in Kochi, on 12 February, 2024. Live telecast of the fixture will be available on Sports18 Network (Sports18 1/VH1 Channel). Live streaming of the game will be available on the JioCinema app. Viewers from abroad can use OneFootball to stream the game.

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