There is something about the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium that has not clicked with Atletico de Kolkata. A poor return of just six points from the four games may be a cause for worry but there are other sides in the league whose away records have been superior.
One big win can even go on to change that reputation, ask Mumbai City FC, whose 5-0 thrashing of Kerala suddenly made them a force at home too.
The Blasters bounced back from that defeat with a 2-1 win against FC Pune City at home, which, much like Mumbai’s home form, turned into a fortress overnight. Blasters’ away form has suffered recently with the side picking up just one point in three on the road.
Moreover, they face an outfit who has regularly managed to get one over them in previous meetings; they also lost at Kochi earlier in the season.
A fierce rivalry has also cropped up between the two sets of fans ever since Kolkata and Blasters locked horns in the inaugural edition of the ISL. Up front, the two sides are equally matched on current form. Kolkata, though, have a little more pedigree in Helder Postiga and Iain Hume along with Juan Belencoso, who has begun to find his feet in the tournament.
It is not to say that the Blasters have not looked competent going forward. CK Vineeth, since his comeback into the side, has injected pace and a bit of unpredictability while Michael Chopra, Antonio German and Duckens Nazon continue to be dangerous customers who can change the game within a blink of an eye.
Javi Lara further separates the two teams and this is where Kolkata look in much better shape in opening down tight defences. The Spaniard’s creativity and his expertise in dead-ball situation has tested every backline, and he also possesses a ferocious shot. Blasters’ defence, after an underwhelming start to the campaign, have improved remarkably over time but have had their away goals tally damaged by Mumbai.
It is the head-to-head records that score over goal difference in the ISL and a win is vital for Blasters to stay alive in the tournament.
Match facts
Venue: Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, Kolkata
Capacity: 8,000
Time: 7 pm IST.
Last meeting: Kerala Blasters 0 - 1 Atlético de Kolkata, November 5, 2016, at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kochi
Head-to-head: Matches played: 6. Kerala wins: 1, Atlético wins: 4, Draws: 1
Key Battles
Javi Lara vs Azrack Mahamat
As mentioned earlier, Javi Lara runs the midfield orchestra for Kolkata keeping him quiet will go a long way in the Blasters getting a win. If Lara finds space, he will go for a shot and it won’t be a bad option for Steve Coppell’s side to start with two holding midfielders. Azrack Mahamat has shown great industry and has emerged as one of the side’s best players in Blasters’ recent run of games.
Sandesh Jhingan vs Helder Postiga
The lion-hearted Indian defender is a vital cog in his side’s back-four. Jhingan has combined creditably with Cedric Hengbart and Aaron Hughes, who missed out on a few games due to injury. Jhingan will be put to the test against Helder Postiga, who is anything but one-dimensional. Where the Blasters man needs to watch out is during set-piece plays, where Portuguese is clever at creating space for himself.
Expected line-ups
Atlético de Kolkata: Debjit Majumder; Arnab Mondal, Tiri, Pritam Kotal, Robert Lalthamuana; Borja Fernandez, Stephen Pearson, Javi Lara, Abinash Ruidas, Helder Postiga; Iain Hume
Kerala Blasters FC: Sandip Nandy; Aaron Hughes, Cedric Hengbart, Sandesh Jhingan, Rino Anto; Azrack Mahamat, Mehtab Hossain, Mohammed Rafique, Antonio German, Kervens Belfort; CK Vineeth
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