Humbled by league leaders FC Goa, Mohun Bagan Super Giant returns to Salt Lake to face second-placed Kerala Blasters in the final game of the year.
MBG vs KBFC Match Details
Date: Wednesday, 27 December 2023
Time: 20:00 (IST)
Venue: Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
MBG vs KBFC Match Preview
With a depleted squad due to suspension and injuries with questionable tactics from the manager, Mohun Bagan suffered humiliation at home losing 4-1 to league leaders FC Goa. The Mariners conceded three goals in the first half itself with Noah Sadaoui scoring a brace either side of a Victor Rodriguez strike making it a mountain to climb for the home side. Despite Dimitri Petratos pulling one back from a stunning free-kick just before the break, the game was over for the ISL trophy holders when Brendan Hamill was forced off injured with substitutions exhausted forcing the side to play with 10 men for the final 26 minutes. Carlos Martinez sealed the deal with a stoppage-time penalty giving the Green and Maroons a second straight defeat for only the second time in their ISL history. While cries of Juan Ferrando’s sacking erupted in Salt Lake, the management is backing the Spaniard to bounce back. Bagan will be able to call back a few players from injuries and suspension but the fact they are going to face another Shield contender Kerala Blasters before the Asian Cup break does not make it easier. They cannot afford a third loss on the trot, something not happen before and widen the gap with the top to seven points.
Kerala Blasters are going through a tough time regarding injuries. Still, they have not let it impact their performance on the pitch as their 2-0 victory over Shield holders Mumbai City FC in Kochi on Christmas Eve would suggest. In front of their magnificent support, the combination of Kwame Peprah and Dimitrios Diamantakos tore apart the visitor’s defence enabling Blasters to level up on points with table-toppers FC Goa after playing two games more. The Tuskers remained unbeaten at home this season with this being their sixth victory and a crucial one in their race for the Shield. Ivan Vukomanovic’s side will now eye another three points in the final game of the year making the trip to face Mohun Bagan. Blasters won dramatically the other time they played in Salt Lake against the other Kolkata side East Bengal but they will want a more controlled match this time. Juan Ferrando’s men have picked up just a point facing the top four teams this season and suffered five losses in the last eight matches in all competitions which could make the task easier for the guests.
MBG vs KBFC Recent Form (ISL)
MBG: LLWDW
KBFC: WWLDW
MBG vs KBFC Head-to-head
Played - 6
MBG won - 5
Drawn - 1
KBFC won - 0
MBG vs KBFC Team News
Center-back Brendan Hamill was taken off with a hamstring injury and he might miss the game against the Blasters. The Australian’s partner Hector Yuste though will return at the back after completing his one-game suspension. However, Liston Colaco is not as lucky as he has been handed a four-match ban by the disciplinary committee following his verbal spat with the referee in the Mumbai game. Sahal Samad could also be passed fit to start against his former side.
Kerala Blasters suffered another injury blow as midfielder Vibin Mohanan was substituted late in the first half with an issue that could keep him out in the final game of the year. Mohammed Azhar, who came on as his replacement, will earn his second start of the season as a case. Jaushua Sotirio, Jeakson Singh, Freddy Lallawmawma, Aibanbha Dohling and Adrian Luna have all been side-lined. It will be a reunion match for Pritam Kotal who left Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the summer after captaining them to their first ISL trophy last season.
MBG vs KBFC Predicted Lineups
MBG: Vishal Kaith; Asish Rai, Hector Yuste, Sumit Rathi, Subhasish Bose; Hugo Boumous, Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Samad; Manvir Singh, Jason Cummings, Dimitri Petratos
KBFC: Sachin Suresh; Pritam Kotal, Milos Drincic, Marko Leskovic, Huidrom Singh; Rahul KP, Danish Farooq, Mohammed Azhar, Mohammed Aimen; Dimitrios Diamantakos, Kwame Peprah
MBG vs KBFC Dream11 Team Prediction
Carrying an excellent form, Kerala Blasters are the favourites to win against Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Salt Lake Stadium.
MBG vs KBFC Dream11 Top picks
Captain Pick: Dimitrios Diamantakos
Vice-captain Picks: Dimitri Petratos, Kwame Peprah
Others: Pritam Kotal, Hugo Boumous
Our top pick for MBG vs KBFC is Kerala Blasters forward Dimitrios Diamantakos who has scored joint-high six goals this season and also provided two assists. The other choice could be Dimitri Petratos who has contributed to four goals in five starts for Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
MBG vs KBFC Dream11 Team Suggestion
GK: Suresh (7.5)
DEF: Kotal (8.5), Drincic (7.5), Bose (8.5)
MID: Cummings (8.5), Danish (8.5), Boumous (8), Sahal (8.5),
FW: Mera (9), Diamantakos (8.5), Petratos (8.5)
Captain: Dimitrios Diamantakos
Vice-captain: Dimitri Petratos
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming ISL matches.
