All eyes will be on the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata this October 20, 2024, as Mohammedan SC takes on Kerala Blasters. Mohammedan SC is currently 11th in the table while Kerala Blasters lie 6th.

Head-to-Head (Last 7 Years)

• Mohammedan SC: 1 Win
• Draws: 0
• Kerala Blasters: 0 Wins

In recent years, these two teams haven’t faced off often, with Mohammedan SC holding the upper hand from their previous encounter.

Form Guide

• Kerala Blasters: L, W, D, D
• Mohammedan SC: L, D, W, D
• Mohammedan SC has struggled for consistency, winning just 1 of their last 7 matches.
• Kerala Blasters are undefeated in 6 of their last 8 games, though they have drawn several matches.

Key Players to Watch

• Mohammedan SC:
  • A. Gomez – The team’s creative spark in midfield.
  • Franca– A reliable forward who can score crucial goals.
• Kerala Blasters:
  • Adrian Luna – The maestro who dictates the tempo of Kerala’s attack.
  • Noah Sadaoui– A potent striker with an eye for goal.

Important Facts

• Kerala Blasters have conceded in their last 5 matches.
• Mohammedan SC wins 54% of first halves, while Kerala Blasters win 28%.
• When Mohammedan SC leads 1-0 at home, they win 70% of the time.
• If Kerala Blasters take a 1-0 away lead, they convert it into a win 50% of the time.
• Kerala Blasters haven’t won their last league match, and their form is inconsistent away from home.
• On average, Mohammedan SC scores 1.88 goals at home, and Kerala Blasters average 1.38 goals away.

5 Betting Tips

1. Kerala Blasters to Win or Draw – The Blasters have avoided defeat in 6 of their last 8 games.
2. Under 2.5 Goals – 6 of the last 8 matches involving these two sides had fewer than 3 goals.
3. Both Teams to Score – In the last 4 games involving Kerala Blasters, both teams found the net.
4. Mohammedan SC to Score First – Kerala has conceded the first goal in 4 of their last 5 matches.
5. Over 1.5 Goals at Halftime (Value Bet) – There is a chance of early goals, with Mohammedan SC often starting strong.

SWOT Analysis: Mohammedan SC vs Kerala Blasters

Mohammedan SC

Strengths

1. Strong First Half Performances: Mohammedan wins 54% of first halves, giving them a solid start to matches.
2. Effective at Home Leads: When leading 1-0 at home, they convert it into a win 70% of the time.
3. Better Recent Form: Despite struggles, their last five-match form is stronger than Kerala Blasters’.
4. High Scoring at Home: Mohammedan averages 1.88 goals per home game, showing attacking intent.

Weaknesses

1. Struggles in Second Half: While starting well, they lack consistency throughout the game.
2. Poor Record When Conceding First: They only win 14% of matches when trailing 0-1 at home.
3. Low Home Confidence: Two winless home games this season put pressure on them to avoid a third.
4. Vulnerable Against Quality Attacks: Recent 0-3 loss to Mohun Bagan reflects defensive fragility.

Opportunities

1. First Home Win in ISL: Securing a win against Kerala would be a crucial milestone in their ISL journey.
2. Kerala’s Defensive Issues: Kerala has conceded in each of their last 9 away matches, offering Mohammedan a chance to exploit gaps.
3. Key Tactical Preparations: Coach Andrey Chernyshov has worked extensively during the break to counter Kerala’s strengths.

Threats

1. Kerala’s Recent Away Success in Kolkata: Blasters have won their last two games in the city, signaling a potential threat.
2. Lack of Momentum: Mohammedan’s inconsistency could prevent them from capitalizing on Kerala’s weak defense.
3. Psychological Pressure: A poor result could leave them grouped with underperforming teams like East Bengal and Punjab FC.

Kerala Blasters

Strengths

1. Attacking Consistency: The Blasters have scored in every match this season, both home and away.
2. Positive Kolkata Record: They have won two consecutive games in Kolkata, including victories over Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.
3. Efficient Away Leads: When leading 0-1 away, they win 50% of their matches, reflecting solid game management when ahead.

Weaknesses

1. Defensive Frailty: Kerala has conceded in every away game for the past nine matches.
2. Struggle When Conceding First: They have 0% win rate when trailing 1-0 away, indicating poor comeback ability.
3. Inconsistent Recent Form: Kerala is winless in their last match and has drawn too many games, reflecting shaky performances.

Opportunities

1. Breaking the Defensive Slump: A win on Sunday would mark their third consecutive win in Kolkata, a new club milestone.
2. Climb the Points Table: A victory would boost their top-six hopes and build momentum for the rest of the season.
3. Mohammedan’s Defensive Vulnerabilities: Blasters can take advantage of Mohammedan’s second-half lapses.

Threats

1. Pressure to End Away Woes: With just one win in nine away matches, Kerala needs to avoid another poor road performance.
2. Mohammedan’s First Half Dominance: If Kerala concedes early, their poor record when trailing could cost them the game.
3. High Stakes Match for Mohammedan: A desperate Mohammedan side could be dangerous, aiming for their first ISL home win.

Prediction

Despite their recent defensive struggles, Kerala Blasters have shown resilience, and their attacking quality should edge them past Mohammedan SC. However, Mohammedan could make things interesting by scoring first. Expect a close game with both teams getting on the scoresheet.

Final Prediction: Kerala Blasters 2-1 Mohammedan SC

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