Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters FC, Indian Super League 2024-2025, Today Match Prediction

Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters FC Match Prediction & Analysis

The Southern derby in the Indian Super League (ISL) takes centre stage as former champions Bengaluru FC welcome their arch-rivals, Kerala Blasters FC, at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Kochi on December 14th at 5 p.m. IST. Sunday’s clash will be quintessential for both sides, more so for the Bengaluru side, which is coming off a dismal 4-2 loss to Odisha FC and is on a four-game winless streak.

Their rivals, eager to settle the score, will see this as the perfect chance to avenge the 3-1 defeat handed over to them at home during Bengaluru’s last visit. However, the Blasters too are short on confidence, having lost three of their last four fixtures.

Stats That Matter

Bengaluru FC are ranked 1st in ball possession with 56.8%. They average 11.6 shots and 4.4 corners per game. Allan de Souza Miranda and Andrei Alba are the top scorers with 2 goals apiece. On the defensive side, the team makes an average of 17.5 clearances and 3.3 saves per game, the 4th best in the season. They have managed 13 tackles and 7.8 interceptions but conceded 11/10 goals per game.

Kerala Blasters FC are ranked 4th in ball possession with 55.5%. They average 13.3 shots and 5.1 corners per game. Akash Sangwan and Iker Guarrotxena have scored 2 goals each this season. On the defensive side, the team makes an average of 15 clearances and 1.7 saves per game, the worst in the season. They have managed 17 tackles and 11.7 interceptions but conceded 17/10 goals per game.

Current Standings: After ten rounds, the hosts with 6 wins, 2 defeats, and 2 draws are currently placed at the second position in the points table. Meanwhile, the visitors occupy the 10th position with 3 wins, 2 draws, and 5 defeats. 

Head-to-Head record: Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters have been involved in 19 matches in the ISL; of these, the former has won 11 while the latter has managed to win 4.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Bengaluru FC Preview

Gerard Zaragoza's side started strong, winning six of their first seven games with a balanced XI and depth to match. But their form has unravelled—thrashed 0-3 by FC Goa, lucky in a 2-2 draw with NorthEast United, and reliant on Sunil Chhetri to edge past Mohammedan SC. A 4-2 defeat to Odisha FC has further exposed their fragility, raising questions about their once-dominant run. Things began to unravel when Zaragoza's unnecessary rotations disrupted the team's rhythm, culminating in baffling decisions that cost them dearly against Odisha FC. 

Zaragoza's obsession with unnecessary rotations left BFC in shambles, trailing 0-3 at halftime against Odisha. Four halftime changes sparked a 2-1 "win" in the second half, but by then, the damage was beyond repair.

Despite their recent rut, Bengaluru has maintained a good record at home this season with four wins and a draw. Furthermore, they haven't lost any of their last eight matches at home. The Blues have scored 35% of their goals in the 76-90 period. And their leading scorer has been Sunil Chhetri with five goals. 

Bengaluru FC Probable XI -  Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK); Nikhil Poojary, Rahul Bheke, Jovanovic, N Singh, S Wangjam, P Capo, A Noguera ,Ryan Williams, Jorge Diaz, Salah (Forwards)

Kerala Blasters FC Preview

Against FC Goa in Kochi, the Blasters dominated possession (58%) and created more shots, yet they failed to score, managing only two on target. It was their first goalless game of the season. While they excel at counterattacks, their real issue surfaces when they fall behind, as they did in the 40th minute. Stats show that when trailing 0-1, the Blasters win just 12% of the time, highlighting their struggle to bounce back from setbacks. It's not just about holding the ball—it's what they do with it that counts.

Kerala has a notorious habit of conceding goals in the second half, especially between the 60-75 minute (40%) and 76-90 minute (20%) marks. Interestingly, this is when Bengaluru steps up their offensive game. Sunil Chhetri, a master of late-game heroics, has been pivotal in BFC’s late goals, and he loves playing against Kerala. If the Blasters can contain Chhetri's threat and tighten their defence in these key periods, they might just have a chance.

The Blasters have struggled recently, with an xG of just 1.10 in their last five games, losing four of them. Jesus Jimenez, with 7 goals, remains their top scorer this season. On the other side, Sunil Chhetri has been a nightmare for Kerala, scoring 7 goals against them—the second-highest tally for him against any team in the ISL. 

Kerala Blasters Probable XI -  S. Suresh(GK); H. Ruivah, P. Kotal, Drincic, J Singh, Lallawmawma, Kannoly, V. Mohanan, Noah WailK, J. Jiménez, A. Luna

BENGALURU FC vs KERALA BLASTERS FC
Winning Prediction

It's a battle between teams that are under a lot of pressure after recent results. Given their dominance against the Blasters, the Blues will feel at ease when they face them on Sunday. The Blues have gone undefeated in their past 11 meetings at Sree Kanteerava Stadium (6W, 5D). Furthermore, the Blasters are on a three-match losing streak versus the Blues.

Given the stats and general form of these two in this year's ISL, one has to be brave not to place their bets on Bengaluru FC in this one. Bengaluru FC are tipped to win with odds of 2.02 to the Blasters'  3.80 and a draw at 3.50. 

Bengaluru FC to Win (2-1)

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