Bengaluru FC begins as favourites in opposition to Kerala Blasters

Bengaluru FC’s Siva Sakthi celebrates after scoring a purpose, in the course of the ISL soccer match in opposition to FC Goa, in Bengaluru on February 23, 2023. File
| Photo Credit: Ok. Murali Kumar

There was a time, not so way back, when Bengaluru FC was observing a 3rd straight below-par season. After gathering simply 10 factors from the primary 12 matches, the 2018-19 Indian Super League champion appeared set to overlook out on a playoff spot even in a beneficiant, new format the place six out of 11 groups would make the grade.

But with eight wins on the trot, Simon Grayson’s facet has not solely stormed into the playoff spherical however is the favorite going into the single-leg knock-out contest in opposition to Kerala Blasters FC on the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Friday. At stake is a spot within the semifinal in opposition to Mumbai City FC.

With only one win from the final 5 outings and none from the earlier six away fixtures, KBFC will want an inspirational efficiency. For that, two figures who can enliven proceedings, Adrian Luna and Dimitrios Diamantakos (10 targets), can’t be as silent as they have been in the newest tie between the 2 sides (a 1-0 dwelling win for BFC final month).

Part of it was additionally right down to BFC’s defence – simply six targets conceded within the final eight matches – led by the excellent Sandesh Jhingan, who will look to proceed in related vein.

In Javi Hernandez, BFC has a gamechanger, and in Roy Krishna and N. Sivasakthi, an in-form entrance two. KBFC must cease the trio that has accounted for 17 of BFC’s 27 targets this season. But with out midfielder Ivan Kaliuzhnyi (suspended), it will likely be fairly a process.