Jamshedpur FC vs Kerala Blasters lineups, team news, prediction & preview

The Tuskers are coming after a big win over the Black Panthers.

The Furnace is set to erupt in jubilant fervour, with roaring chants of “Jam Ke Khelo – Jamshedpur” reverberating through the iconic JRD Tata Sports Complex. Meanwhile, the loyal and passionate Yellow Army, travelling 2256 km from God’s Own Country, will energize the away stands with their rousing cries of “KB! KBF! KBFC!” Stay tuned for an epic showdown as one of football’s greatest sagas takes center stage at the Furnace, culminating in a fiery spectacle on the final Sunday of 2024.

Jamshedpur FC are coming after facing a narrow defeat to the Red and Yellow brigade whereas the Blasters are high on spirits after thrashing Mohammedan Sporting Club by a big margin of 3-0. It will be interesting to see if the Red Miners can bounce back or whether the Blasters will extend their winning streak to two when they take on Khalid Jamil’s side.

The Stakes

Jamshedpur FC

Jamshedpur FC, who kicked off their Indian Super League campaign with promise, have recently endured a turbulent phase, marked by three consecutive defeats against formidable sides like Mohun Bagan, Chennaiyin FC, and NorthEast United FC. However, they managed to arrest their slide and rediscover form with back-to-back home victories over Mohammedan Sporting Club and Punjab FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex.

Despite these encouraging signs, their struggles on the road persist, as evidenced by a narrow defeat to East Bengal in their latest outing at the iconic Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan, popularly known as Salt Lake Stadium.

Now, returning to familiar territory, Jamshedpur FC will aim to capitalize on their home advantage when they face Kerala Blasters FC in an eagerly awaited clash at the JRD Tata Sports Complex. Head coach Khalid Jamil will look to rally his troops and use the support of the home crowd to push his side closer to the coveted top-four spots. The upcoming match presents a pivotal opportunity for Jamshedpur to reaffirm their credentials and reignite their campaign in front of their passionate fans.

Kerala Blasters FC

The dawn of the new Indian Super League season posed significant challenges for Kerala Blasters FC, marked by the absence of their iconic coach, Ivan Vukomanović. Renowned for steering the club to unprecedented heights and cementing his legacy as one of the most successful managers in Kerala Blasters’ history, Vukomanović’s departure left a void that has proven difficult to fill.

Under the stewardship of newly appointed coach Mikael Stahre, Kerala Blasters endured a lackluster start, succumbing to a defeat against Punjab FC in their opening fixture. Their journey since then has been marred by inconsistency, as the team oscillated between victories over East Bengal and Mohammedan SC and disappointing losses to Hyderabad FC, Bengaluru FC, and Mumbai City FC. The mounting struggles culminated in Stahre’s departure, leaving the Blasters under interim management.

Despite the turbulence, the team showcased their resilience with a commanding 3-0 triumph over Mohammedan Sporting Club in their most recent encounter, reigniting hope among their devoted fanbase. Known for their unwavering support, Kerala Blasters’ passionate fans are expected to rally behind their team, even in challenging circumstances.

As they gear up for an arduous away clash against Khalid Jamil’s Jamshedpur FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, the Blasters will aim to channel their fighting spirit and deliver a spirited performance. With a 2,256 km journey from Kochi to Jamshedpur, the Blasters’ faithful will undoubtedly make their presence felt, embodying the indomitable spirit of the club they cherish.

Head-to-head

Total Matches – 17

Jamshedpur FC won – 04

Kerala Blasters won – 05

Matches drawn – 08

Predicted Lineups

Jamshedpur FC (4-2-3-1) 

Albino Gomes (GK); Ashutosh Mehta, Pratik Chaudhari, Stephen Eze, Md Uvais; Rei Tachikawa, Sourav Das; Imran Khan, Javi Hernandez, Md Sanan; Javi Siverio

Kerala Blasters FC (4-2-3-1)

Sachin Suresh (GK); Sandeep Singh, Pritam Kotal, Milos Drincic, Naocha Singh; Freddy Lallawmawma, Danish Farooq; Korou Singh, Adrian Luna, Noah Sadaoui; Kwame Peprah

Team News

Pronay Halder was given some game time by Khalid Jamil in the previous fixture against East Bengal. However, he was subbed off before ninety minutes. The clouds of uncertainties still prevail over the fitness and availability of Pronay Halder and Ritwik Das.

Kerala Blasters on the other hand are set to miss the presence of their young centre-back prodigy from Manipur Hormipam Ruivah, who picked his fourth yellow card of the season in the previous fixture. Apart from that, Ishan Pandita and most importantly speculations will be on the availability of their prime Spanish striker from Leganes, Jesus Jimenez.

Players to watch

Stephen Eze (Jamshedpur FC)

Stephen Eze, the towering 6’6 Nigerian centre-back from Makurdi, has emerged as a linchpin for Jamshedpur FC’s defense this season. While the team has struggled defensively, managing just one clean sheet so far, Eze’s commanding presence has been pivotal in fortifying the backline. Known for his ability to make crucial interceptions and aerial dominance, Eze’s influence extends beyond defense.

His imposing stature transforms him into a constant threat during set-pieces, with his headed goals becoming a hallmark of his game. Since his arrival in Indian football, Eze has netted over five goals for Jamshedpur FC, underlining his dual contributions on both ends of the pitch.

Having initially joined Jamshedpur FC during Owen Coyle’s tenure, Eze later ventured abroad, showcasing his skills with clubs such as Queen’s Park, NK Solin, and Quang Nam. Notably, he was part of the Lokomotiv Plovdiv squad that clinched the Bulgarian Cup during the 2018-19 season, adding a prestigious accolade to his career.

As Jamshedpur FC continues their campaign, Eze’s leadership and defensive prowess will be instrumental in their pursuit of climbing the Indian Super League standings. His combination of experience, resilience, and offensive threat makes him a cornerstone for Khalid Jamil’s side.

Milos Drincic (Kerala Blasters FC)

Milos Drincic, the 25-year-old Montenegrin centre-back, has proven to be an invaluable asset for Kerala Blasters FC since his arrival in 2023. A product of Montenegro’s footballing structure, Drincic honed his skills at clubs such as Iskra Danilovgrad and Shakhtyor Soligorsk before making his move to the Indian Super League. His leadership qualities and defensive solidity were quickly recognized, earning him the role of vice-captain in September.

In his debut season with Kerala Blasters, Drincic showcased exceptional defensive acumen, becoming a cornerstone of the team’s backline. His contributions extended beyond defence, as he scored two crucial goals, highlighting his versatility and impact during set pieces. Amidst a challenging phase for the Blasters, Drincic’s composure and resilience have been pivotal, providing much-needed stability and inspiration to the squad.

On the international stage, Drincic has an impressive track record, having represented Montenegro at various youth levels. Notably, he captained the Montenegro U-21 squad during the 2019 UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifiers, further underlining his leadership capabilities.

As Kerala Blasters navigate through a transitional period, Drincic’s presence will be instrumental in their efforts to regain form and consistency. His blend of experience, tactical awareness, and leadership continues to make him a linchpin in the Blasters’ setup.

Did you know

• Ivan Vukomanovic in his maiden stint with KBFC knocked out the-then shield winners Jamshedpur FC to book their berth in the ISL finals 2021-22
• Khalid Jamil’s Jamshedpur took redemption after eliminating the then ISL table toppers Kerala Blasters to qualify for the semi-finals of the Kalinga Super Cup 2023-24
• Kerala Blasters have defeated the Red Miners only once in the Furnace.

Telecast Details

The 2024-25 Indian Super League match between Jamshedpur FC and Kerala Blasters FC will take place at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Sunday (29 December)

It will kick off at 7:30 PM IST. The match will be shown live on Sports 18 and be available for streaming on Jio Cinema. International viewers can also watch the match on the OneFootball app.

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