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Preview: Can ATK Mohun Bagan do the double over Kerala Blasters?

Published at :January 30, 2021 at 7:29 PM
Modified at :January 30, 2021 at 7:38 PM
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Uttiyo Sarkar


The Mariners had edged the Yellow Army in the opening fixture of the season.

After having won only one out of their last four games in the Indian Super League (ISL), ATK Mohun Bagan are at risk of dropping out of the race for the top spot. With Mumbai City FC now six points ahead of them, they need to get their winning momentum back and do it quickly!

In their way stand rejuvenated Kerala Blasters, who are unbeaten in five games. The Blasters’ league position doesn’t fairly reflect their momentum, as Kibu Vicuna’s side have enough firepower to trouble the under-pressure Mariners. A lot has changed since these two sides met in the ISL opener this season, but with both in desperate need of a win, this should be a cracking contest.

The Stakes

ATK Mohun Bagan realize that they need to be nearly perfect in the second half of the season in order to clinch the top spot and attain AFC Champions League qualification for next season. To do that, they need to start winning games on the trot and the clash against Kerala Basters is a crucial one for them.

Having struggled to score goals or see through wins in recent games, the Mariners are desperate for a dominant performance. They must bring their very best to the table, play more attacking football and retain their sturdy defensive shape. More dropped points could end their dreams of a top of the table finish at the end of the league stages, so there’s a lot riding on this battle ahead.

Kerala, on the other hand, have shown real signs of improvement in recent weeks. However, they haven’t been able to get the job done on numerous occasions – holding them back from gunning for a playoffs spot. Playing against a seemingly vulnerable ATKMB side, they will be fancying their chances.

Kibu Vicuna’s team have displayed some attractive attacking football in recent games and will maintain their fearless style going forward. They definitely need to be defensively more secure, but the Blasters have to keep piling pressure on Antonio Habas’ side to get a big win and reignite their dreams of a playoffs spot.

Team News

Edu Garcia is ruled out of the game after suffering a nasty injury, while Subhasish Bose will also be in a race against time to feature in this one. The Mariners now have a fully fit squad apart from long-term injuries in Michael Soosairaj and Jobby Justin. It remains to seen whether new signing Marcelinho makes the matchday squad.

Nishu Kumar is coming back from injury and would be there in the squad, but a starting XI spot is doubtful. Jeakson Singh and Rahul KP are returning from suspensions and would start the game. Facundo Pereyra has a hairline fracture in his nose from a training accident. Khel Now understands that he will be out for the next two weeks, which in turn rules him out of the next 3-4 games including ATKMB.

Head-to-Head

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QBW9KyF9G0
WATCH: Roy Krishna was on target as ATK Mohun Bagan edged Kerala Blasters the last time they met

These two sides have only met once in the ISL, with the Mariners winning the game in the ISL opener earlier this season. The erstwhile ATK had faced the Blasters 14 times in the ISL, winning five games and losing four.

Probable Lineups

ATK Mohun Bagan: Arindam (GK), Kotal, Tiri, Jhingan, Rathi, McHugh, Pronay, Javi, Manvir, Williams, Krishna.

Kerala Blasters: Albino (GK); Sandeep, Kone, Costa, Jessel; Jeakson, Gomez; Rahul, Hooper, Sahal; Murray.

Man to Watch

Roy Krishna (ATK Mohun Bagan)

After a mini goal-drought (by his standards), Roy Krishna was back to his clinical best in the defeat to NorthEast United. He seems to have his lethal instincts back in the final third and is operating with much more venom around the penalty area. As he faces a Blasters team who aren’t defensively the strongest, Krishna will be a thorn in their side with his proactive presence.

The Fijian will just be hoping for better delivery and that his teammates find him in promising areas to break open the opposition's backline. For ATK Mohun Bagan to have a go at a potential top place finish, they’ll need their centre-forward to be at his clinical best – starting from the Kerala Blasters clash.

Rahul KP (Kerala Blasters)

Rahul KP returns after completing a suspension and he’ll be aiming to get his side back to winning ways. The youngster has been among the real success stories at Kerala Blasters under Vicuna, developing into a devastating attacker for his side. Rahul’s clever movement and pace can make a real impact against the Mariners, helping his team destabilize their defensive shape.

He’ll be looking to make those clever runs into the area to get into scoring positions and test the goalkeepers with his deft shooting ability. Kerala will need a spark to break open the rigid ATKMB backline and Rahul can provide that with his unpredictable style.

Did You Know?

  • 12/13 of ATK Mohun Bagan’s goals this season have come in the second half
  • Rahul KP (20 years & 319 days) is the second-youngest player with a minimum of two goals this season after Rahim Ali (20 years & 283 days).
  • Arindam Bhattacharya has kept eight clean-sheets in the ISL, the joint-most in the league alongside Mumbai City’s Amrinder Singh.

Telecast

The match between ATK Mohun Bagan and Kerala Blasters is set to be telecast live on Star Sports 1 SD & HD, Star Sports 2 SD & HD (English), Star Sports Hindi 1 SD & HD, Star Sports 3 and several other regional languages. Live streaming of the match will be available on Hotstar and Jio TV.

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