Kerala Blasters FC vs Punjab FC Preview, predicted lineup, injury news, H2H, telecast details | Durand Cup 2024

Kerala Blasters will look to continue their form in the Durand Cup.

The second game of Group C will see two full-strength Indian Super League (ISL) sides, Kerala Blasters FC and Punjab FC, face off against each other on 4 August. Both teams will come into the match after convincing wins in their opening matches of the Durand Cup 2024. Punjab FC defeated CISF Protectors by 3-0 scoreline, whereas Kerala Blasters thrashed an inexperienced Mumbai City side by a mammoth 8-0 margin. 

This fixture will be the first real test for both sides in the Durand Cup. Moreover, as only one team from each group gets a confirmed place in the knockouts, both teams will look to give their best and earn the most crucial three points of the group stage phase.

The tie between these two teams will turn out to be a very exciting one for the fans, as the winner of this match will most likely top the group.

The Stakes 

Kerala Blasters FC 

Kerala Blasters FC traveled to Thailand for a long pre-season camp in July. They started their Durand Cup campaign with a resounding victory against Mumbai City in the opening match. Their big win in the first game will surely give them a lot of confidence before the crucial tie against Punjab FC at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium.

Kerala Blasters had a very challenging past few seasons with many things, on and off the pitch, not going their way. So the team led by Mikael Stahre will look to have a fresh and positive start to the new season by qualifying for the knockouts of the Durand Cup.

Punjab FC 

It will be interesting to see how Punjab FC perform under their new head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis against a formidable Kerala Blasters side.

The Shers finished eighth in the points table with 24 points in their debut ISL season. This year, they will look to better that position, and a good performance in the Durand Cup will help them achieve that. With some of their key players gone, the onus will now be on the new signings like Ninthoi, Vinit Rai and Filip Mrjljak to help the team get the better of Kerala Blasters on Sunday.

Injury News 

There are no injury concerns in any of the teams. They are likely to have their full squads available for the match.

Head-to-Head

Total Matches played – 3

Kerala Blasters FC wins – 2

Punjab FC wins – 1

Draws – 0

Predicted Lineups 

Kerala Blasters (4-2-3-1)

Som Kumar (GK); Aibanbha Dohling, Horimipam Ruivah, Milos Drincic, Muhammad Saheef; Freddy Lallawmawma, Danish Farooq; Adrian Luna, Mohammed Aimen, Noah Sadoui; Kwame Peprah

Punjab FC (4-3-3)

Ravi Kumar (GK); Khaiminthang Lhungdim, Melroy Melwin Assisi, Nongmeikapam Suresh Meitei, Nitesh Darjee; Nikhil Prabhu, Filip Mrjljak, Vinit Rai; Nihal Sudeesh, Luka Majcen, Leon Augustine

Players to Watch

Luka Majcen (Punjab FC)

Luka Majcen started his Durand Cup campaign with a bang by scoring a brace in the match against CISF Protectors on 30 July.

He had an impressive 2023-24 season in the ISL. Although his team couldn’t make it to the knockouts, he scored eight goals and provided two assists last season. The Slovenian striker will have to play a pivotal role in the match against Kerala Blasters if Punjab are to get the win.

Noah Sadaoui (Kerala Blasters FC)

All focus will be on Noah Sadaoui in the match against Punjab FC after he scored an impressive hattrick in the previous fixture, where his side thrashed Mumbai City 8-0.

With support from Luna, Peprah and Pandita upfront, the responsibility will be on him once again as they face a much more formidable team in Punjab FC. Noah joined the team after two good seasons with Goa. He and Luna are expected to form a lethal pair and going forward, it will be hard for teams to stop the duo.

Did you know?

• Kwame Peprah and Noah Sadaoui both scored hat-tricks in the previous match against CISF Protectors.
• Noah Sadaoui was part of the Moroccan National team that won the African Nations Championship in 2020.
• Punjab FC won the I-League in 2022-23 season.

Telecast 

The match will be telecasted live on Sony Ten 2 and streaming to be available on Sony LIV.

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