The Indian Tremendous League (ISL) 2023-24 motion returns from the worldwide break with Bengaluru FC internet hosting Odisha FC on the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on March 30, 2024, Saturday, at 5:00 pm IST.
Odisha FC held the highest spot of the factors desk for a big chunk of the second half of the marketing campaign. Nonetheless, they’ve slipped seven factors out of a doable 12 of their final 4 video games, dropping 2-1 to Chennaiyin FC of their earlier ISL fixture.
They then went on to lose by 4-0 to the Central Coast Mariners within the AFC Cup inter-zonal semi-finals throughout two legs, thus crashing their hopes of progressing additional within the continental championship.
Presently, the Kalinga Warriors have 35 factors from 18 video games. They’re six factors off the top-placed Mumbai Metropolis FC (41), who’ve performed a further recreation (19) as in comparison with Odisha FC.
Alternatively, Bengaluru FC has 21 factors from 19 video games, the identical equation because the sixth-placed Punjab FC. Spectacular outings within the subsequent three matches can see them make it to the playoffs, which will likely be a giant win beneath the watch of head coach Gerard Zaragoza who took over the reins in December.
What’s at stake?
Bengaluru FC
Bengaluru FC boasts of a 100% win price towards Odisha FC at dwelling, having emerged victorious in each their earlier video games on the Sree Kanteerava towards the Juggernauts. They’ve overwhelmed Odisha FC by 3-1 and 3-0 of their two outings right here.
The Blues have notched 19 objectives and conceded 28 instances in 19 video games this ISL season. That is the least objectives that they’ve scored and the very best that they’ve conceded after these many video games within the present marketing campaign.
There’s quite a lot of particular person expertise of their ranks, particularly with the emergence of children like Reliance Basis Younger Champs (RFYC) Chingangbam Shivaldo Singh, who has scored and assisted as soon as every within the ISL thus far.
Bengaluru FC have aggregated a dribble success price of 51.5% (138/268 dribbles accomplished) within the present ISL season, which is the second highest of all groups (FC Goa – 52%); Odisha FC (51.4%).
A late winner by Boris Singh inflicted a 2-1 loss upon the Blues of their earlier match towards FC Goa, however they are going to be raring to place up a formidable problem for the playoffs positions within the coming three video games.
Odisha FC
Odisha FC has the possibility to finish a league double over Bengaluru FC this season, having gained their final recreation towards the Blues by 3-2 in October.
This will likely be their third potential league double of ISL 2023-24, after having performed so towards Hyderabad FC and Jamshedpur FC already.
Odisha FC has discovered the again of the online no less than as soon as in every of their final three away fixtures. In the event that they accomplish that once more towards Bengaluru FC, it would equal their longest such scoring streak within the competitors’s historical past.
No staff has registered extra sequences of 10+ passes per recreation within the present ISL season than Odisha FC (10.8); the Kalinga Warriors have been concerned in 195 such sequences over their 18 video games in 2023-24, suggesting that they’ve fully adopted the taking part in model of Sergio Lobera over the previous few months.
With their coming matches towards Bengaluru FC, Punjab FC, and Mumbai Metropolis FC, the Lobera-coached aspect will likely be eyeing to storm again into competition for the ISL League Winners Defend.
Key Gamers to Watch Out
Chingangbam Shivaldo Singh (Bengaluru FC)
Shivaldo Singh has made 9 appearances in ISL 2023-24. He netted of their earlier match towards FC Goa, beginning the sport and discovering the again of the online within the second minute of the sport. He has gained 4 aerial duels, six tackles, and likewise 16 duels till now.
With two blocks and 14 recoveries, and 76 profitable passes, he has created two goal-scoring alternatives and recorded a few purpose contributions till now. He has notched 72% passing accuracy thus far, and will likely be hoping for additional impactful contributions transferring ahead within the marketing campaign.
Roy Krishna (Odisha FC)
Roy Krishna has been pivotal to the success of Odisha FC thus far, scoring 12 objectives and aiding as soon as in 18 ISL appearances. He has accomplished 15 profitable dribbles, made 29 key passes, created 30 goal-scoring alternatives, gained 86 duels, and recorded a 44.44% purpose conversion price. He has made 68 touches within the opposition’s field and 77 recoveries thus far.
With 24 passes per recreation, he has recorded a 74% passing accuracy and struck a formidable partnership with Brazilian ahead Diego Mauricio. The seasoned ISL ahead will likely be hoping to be on the high of his recreation to assist Odisha FC problem for the highest honours this month.
Learn Extra
Head-to-Head
Performed – 13
Odisha FC – 5
Bengaluru FC – 7
Attracts – 1
Trivia: Javi Hernandez has gained 43 fouls in ISL 2023-24, second to solely Punjab FC’s Madih Talal (59); Roy Krishna (25) is Odisha FC’s finest participant on this class thus far in 2023-24.
Crew Speak
“We skilled very properly within the final two weeks. Odisha FC is an excellent staff, with robust people and an excellent coach, however we all know that we’ll play on the Kanteerava and we may have our supporters behind us,” Bengaluru FC head coach Gerard Zaragoza stated within the pre-match press convention.
“Now we have to make sure that the gamers get well bodily in addition to mentally. It’s a giant problem to return again into the competitors after the break, however we’re very enthusiastic about the identical too,” Odisha FC head coach Sergio Lobera stated forward of the sport.
ISL Fantasy
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (3.8cr)
Has earned 58 ISL fantasy factors thus far
Javi Hernandez (9.2cr)
Has bagged 57 ISL fantasy factors this season
Amey Ranawade (4.2cr)
The fullback has acquired 82 fantasy factors in ISL 2023-24
If not registered already, followers can take part within the general league or club-based leagues primarily based on their preferences. Create non-public leagues, inviting buddies and fellow soccer aficionados to compete. Prizes embrace a Sony PlayStation ®️ ️5 gaming console, EA Sports activities FC 24, signed membership merchandise, and a Present Card value INR 20,000, which will likely be awarded to 100 winners on the finish of the season. Join at: https://fantasy.indiansuperleague.com/
The place to Watch
Followers throughout the nation can catch the motion in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam. Followers can watch the motion on linear channels like Sports18 Khel (Hindi), Sports18 1 HD (English), Sports18 3 SD (English, Hindi, Malayalam and Bengali), VH1 SD & HD (English), Surya Films (Malayalam), Information 18 Kerala (Malayalam – choose matches) & DD Bangla (Bengali). Followers also can catch the motion streaming Reside without cost on JioCinema, the house of Indian soccer. Along with this, as a part of FSDL’s partnership with OneFootball, ISL stay streams and highlights of all matches of the upcoming 2023-24 season will likely be delivered throughout greater than 190 nations.
