Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters battle it out in the first knockout match of the ISL 2023/24 playoff stage at the Kalinga Stadium. The winning side will face Shiled winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the semifinals.
ODI vs KBFC Match Details
Date: Friday, 19 April 2024
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar
ODI vs KBFC Match Preview
Even after putting in their best efforts, Odisha FC had to settle in for fourth place on the ISL table to qualify for the playoffs. Their ambition was a bit more than that as they chased for the Shield yet finished nine points off the top spot. However, Sergio Lobera's side has the chance to make the season memorable with a chance to win the ISL trophy after also reaching the knockouts of their maiden AFC Cup campaign. It might not give them a ticket for continental football but will be an honour to be proud of. The Juggernauts will wish that the title-wining experience of their head coach makes their dream successful. Odisha FC will have to beat Kerala Blasters first to reach the semifinals with the home advantage in hand. Carrying a 15-game unbeaten run at Kalinga Stadium and having won the last meeting here, Lobera’s side will be motivated to get the desired result. Having said that, Odisha FC have lost the last two games of the league stage so it could be a struggle to regain form.
Kerala Blasters too were in the run for the Shield, leading the ISL table at one point, but injuries and loss of form in 2024 curtailed their chances. Still, Ivan Vukmanovic became the first coach to guide the club to three consecutive playoffs after finishing fifth keeping the chance for a silverware alive. The Blasters controversially walked out midway in the match against Bengaluru FC last season at this stage of the competition but the club will hope to provide dramatic and probably joyous scenes on the pitch this time. The Tuskers will have to travel to play the knockout match against Odisha FC concerned about the fact that they lost six away matches this season. However, nine wins compared to the opposition’s seven and four victories out of the last six meetings will surely drive the club to make a place in the semi-finals on Friday. The tussle will be on the scoring chart as well with Roy Krishna (12 goals) and Dimitrios Diamantakos (13 goals) aiming for the Golden Boot.
ODI vs KBFC Recent Form (ISL)
ODI: DDWLL
KBFC: LDLLW
ODI vs KBFC Team News
Odisha FC have no injury concerns ahead of the match but Kerala Blasters are without left-back Naocha Singh for his three-match suspension.
ODI vs KBFC Predicted Lineups
Odisha FC
Amrinder Singh; Amey Ranawade, Mourtada Fall, Carlos Delgado, Jerry Lalruizuala; Ahmed Jahouh, Puitea; Jerry Mawimingthanga, Princeton Rebello, Isak Vanlalruatfela; Roy Krishna
Kerala Blasters
Lara Sharma; Ruivah Hormipam, Pritam Kotal, Milos Drincic, Mohammed Azhar; Daisuke Sakai, Danish Farooq, Vibin Mohanan, Mohammed Aimen; Fedor Cernych, Dimitrios Diamantakos
ODI vs KBFC Head-to-head (all competitions)
Played - 23
ODI won - 7
Drawn - 7
KBFC won - 9
ODI vs KBFC Head-to-head (ISL)
Played - 22
ODI won - 6
Drawn - 7
KBFC won - 9
ODI vs KBFC Dream11 Match Prediction
Odisha FC could have the edge over Kerala Blasters at home and progress to the semi-final. We predict a 2-1 win for the Juggernauts.
ODI vs KBFC Dream11 Top picks
Captain Pick: Dimitrios Diamantakos
Vice-captain Pick: Ahmed Jahouh
Others: Diego Mauricio, Roy Krishna
Our top pick for ODI vs KBFC dream11 team is Dimitrios Diamantakos with 13 goals and 3 assists in 17 matches.
ODI vs KBFC Dream11 Team Suggestion 1
GK: Amrinder (Cr - 8, Pts - 680)
DEF: Ranawade (Cr - 9, Pts - 850), Fall (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 577), Drincic (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 498)
MID: Sakai (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 522), Jahouh (Cr - 9, Pts - 846), Puitea (Cr - 8, Pts - 520), Isak (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 599)
FW: Krishna (Cr - 9, Pts - 916), Diamantakos (Cr - 9, Pts - 924), Aimen (Cr - 8, Pts - 373)
Vice-captain: Ahmed Jahouh
Captain: Dimitrios Diamantakos
ODI vs KBFC Dream11 Team Suggestion 2
GK: Amrinder (Cr - 8, Pts - 680)
DEF: Ranawade (Cr - 9, Pts - 850), Fall (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 577), Drincic (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 498)
MID: Sakai (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 522), Jahouh (Cr - 9, Pts - 846), Puitea (Cr - 8, Pts - 520), Isak (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 599)
FW: Mauricio (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 662), Diamantakos (Cr - 9, Pts - 924), Aimen (Cr - 8, Pts - 373)
Vice-captain: Ahmed Jahouh
Captain: Dimitrios Diamantakos
