Kerala Blasters vs Punjab FC Preview, predicted lineup, injury news, H2H, telecast details | ISL 2024-25

Kerala Blasters will welcome Punjab FC to Kochi for their opening fixture of the Indian Super League (ISL) and will look to start their new season under a new head coach with a positive start. Blasters have prepared well this season and they will look to win their first silverware this time as right now they are the only team left to win any trophies. Blasters coaching staff and players are confident of winning trophies this time as they have got a decent squad and quality foreign players as well.

On the other hand, Punjab FC have made many changes in their team as they have brought in a new head coach as well as a lot of new players in the team. Some of the top-quality foreign players are in their squad and surely those players will help Punjab to perform well this season. This upcoming fixture will be a good test for the team and surely this will be an intense match on the pitch.

The Stakes

Kerala Blasters

Kerala Blasters will be disappointed after exiting from the Durand Cup as they had a really good chance of winning their maiden trophy but now they will aim to perform well in the ISL and they have a team which can give tough competition to the team.

Blasters will look to start their new season with a win as Mikael Stahre will look to help this team grow and achieve success this season. KBFC’s defence will be a concern against Punjab as they have really good players in their attacking department and many people have raised concerns over the balance of the squad and they will have to perform well to prove people wrong.

Punjab FC

After the departure of Staikos Vergetis once again a Greek man has become the head coach of the Punjab FC as Panagiotis Dilmperis will be taking Punjab FC to new levels.

They did a really good job in the transfer market and surely have the talent and quality players in the squad who will elevate the level of the team. First match of the season and facing Kerala away from home will be a tough task but surely they can overcome the challenge to get all three points.

Injury and Team News

Kerala Blasters

According to Blaster’s head coach, there are no injury concerns going into this match and all players are fit.

Punjab FC

The away team also don’t have any injury issues going into this fixture and all players will be available for selection.

Head-to-Head

Total Matches Played: 3

Kerala Blasters wins: 2

Punjab FC wins: 1

Draws: 0

Predicted Lineups

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

Sachin Suresh (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); Ivan Novoselec, Nikhil Prabhu, Khaiminthang Lhungdim, Vinit Rai; Ashish Pradhan, Filip Mrzljak, Abhishek Singh; Ezequiel Vidal, Nihal Sudeesh, Luka Majcen

Players to Watch

Noah Sadaoui (Kerala Blasters)

After joining the Blasters Noah Sadaoui has been phenomenal as he won the Golden Boot award in the Durand Cup in which he scored six goals and is already shining under the new head coach and fans have a lot of expectations from him. He is known for his dribbling ability and goalscoring prowess. His partnership with Luna and Jimenez will be key for Blaster’s attacking department. He will have to perform his best to help his team to win matches. He is surely one of the favourites to win the Golden Boot.

Ezequiel Vidal (Punjab FC)

He impressed everyone with his performance against Mohun Bagan in the Durand Cup and surely will be one of the players to watch out for this season. He is short in stature but due to a low centre of gravity, he can keep the ball at his feet and does not lose ball possession very easily.

He is a creative player whose partnership with strikers will be crucial for Punjab. He is a top-quality player who can make a difference on the pitch.

Did you know?

• Both teams only drew once when they played in Durand Cup 2024 as the match ended in a 1-1 scoreline.
• Kwame Peprah and Noah Sadaoui have already scored hattricks this season.
• Luka Majcen didn’t renew his contract after last season but under the new coaching staff, he joined the team once again.

Telecast Details

The 2024-25 Indian Super League opener between Kerala Blasters vs Punjab FC will take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi on Sunday (15 September). It will kick off at 7:30 PM IST. The match will be shown live on Sports 18 and available for Jio Cinema streaming. International viewers can also watch the game on the OneFootball app.