Bengaluru FC are wishing to get back to winning ways after the last game disappointment against Kerala Blasters looking for the first three points of the campaign. It is the first southern derby of the season.
BFC vs KBFC Match Details :
When: Sunday, November 28
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Where: GMC Athletic Stadium
BFC vs KBFC Match Preview :
Bengaluru FC suffered a surprise loss to Odisha FC even with the fact they already played a game, unlike the opposition. The Juggernauts downed the favorites 3-1 punishing their individual errors. Marco Pezzaiouli refused to give the blame to his defense rather than pointed out that mistake that cost them the game. He was also visibly annoyed of the weird referee's decision to chalk off Clienton Silva's equalizer in the second half on the rebound after Chettri's spot-kick was saved, judging an infringement but not allowing a retake. In all, the team's performance was poor as they failed to convert chances despite having more of the ball. It was the introduction of Danish Farooq and Silva himself that brought some steady pace to BFC's game which was badly missing. Now, this derby is their opportunity to fill up the gaps and bring some stability to the side.
Ivan Vukomanović seemed to be satisfied with the 0-0 stalemate against NorthEast FC in the last game after the humiliation suffered at the hands of ATK Mohun Bagan, also not being frustrated with the missed chances. The Serbian also defended his decision of fielding two foreign center backs against NorthEast causing him to lose one non-Indian player in the attack. He said it was all about getting the defensive balance and gaining self-confidence that was shattered in the first game. It was to maintain solidity. Jeakson Singh produced a commendable performance in the middle of the park by providing the balance in attack and defense while Luna starred again for the Tuskers.
Vukomanovic is now busy stressing about the improvement required in keeping the stamina of the players ahead of facing BFC in the Southern derby.
Recent Form
BFC: WL
KBFC: LD
BFC vs KBFC Team News :
Manager Marco Pezzaiouli confirmed that Leon Augustine will once again not feature in the derby after going Mri scan due to an ligament injury. He won't be available till the new year after he sustained the problem in the opening game against NorthEast. Midfielder Jayesh Rane will be restricted to play this game due to health protocols following his concussion issue after taking a knock on his head against Odisha. Pezzaiouli also told certain players are having stomach bugs and having fever resulting in late decision to choose who is fit to start the game.
When asked about changes in the forward line, KBFC coach Ivan Vukomanović has said that it will be judged only after the last training sessions that the players are in the right medical shape to feature in the game. Jorge Pereyra was the only constant figure upfront with new signing Alvaro Vazquez partnering in the first while midfielder Luna changed his role to a forward. The last pair is expected to begin this match. Harmonjit Khabra will return to face Bengaluru after switching sides in the transfer window.
BFC vs KBFC Expected Lineups :
Bengaluru FC: Singh-Sandhu (GK), Roshan Singh, Alan Costa, Musavu-King, Ashique Kuruniyan, Suresh Singh, Bruno Edgar, Danish Farooq, Udanta Singh, Sunil Chettri, Clienton Silva
Kerala Blasters: Albino Gomes, Harmanjot Khabra, Marko Leskovic, Enes Sipovic, Jessel Carneiro, Vincy Barretto, Lalthathanga, Jeakson Singh, Sahal Samad, Adrian Luna, Jorge Pereyra
BFC vs KBFC Head to Head :
Kerala Blasters recorded a 2-1 victory over Bengaluru FC in the last meeting which was only their second win over the Blues in the last eight meetings. Clieton Silva put BFC ahead in that meeting before Kerala made a swift turnaround in the second half through two Indian players in Lalthathanga and Praveen in the dying embers of the game. Garry Hooper provided the assist for both goals.
BFC vs KBFC Dream11 Team Prediction :
GK: A. Gomes (KBFC)
DEF: Khabra (KBFC), Costa (BFC), Sipovic (KBFC), Carneiro (KBFC)
MID: Udanta (BFC), Danish (BFC), Jeakson (KBFC), Barretto (KBFC)
FW: C. Silva (BFC), Perreiya (KBFC)
Match Prediction: BFC 1-1 KBFC
Kerala Blasters will be aiming to maintain their solidity in the derby by stopping the less-toothed attack of Bengaluru. A draw will help them but they need to start getting wins now. For BFC, this game is all about a cautious approach as they look to avoid errors again.
