Bengaluru vs Odisha: Preview and Prediction
Bengaluru and Odisha will cross paths in ‘Match 97’ of the 2021-22 Indian Super League season at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Sunday. For both teams, this could be the very last chance of keeping their slim semi-final hopes alive.
Bengaluru’s campaign has been a tale of three halves. They had a poor start, bounced back brilliantly with a run of favorable results, and has once again lost their amulet. With 23 points from 17 matches, they are occupying sixth place in the standings.
On the other hand, Odisha has pulled off a few spectacular results at regular intervals but has never really had a consistent run of good form. They are positioned just below their opponents, having accumulated 22 points from 17 matches.
Current Form
Bengaluru will be desperate to get back to winning ways in this fixture as they have lost their previous two fixtures. In their last match, NorthEast United handed the Blues a shock 2-1 defeat.
The scoreline was the same in the preceding game against Hyderabad. However, Marco Pezzaiouli’s men secured a 1-0 triumph in the Southern Derby against Kerala Blasters before these two defeats.
Odisha has accumulated four points in their last three fixtures, where they have won, lost, and drawn one game each. The draw came in their previous match against Chennaiyin, which produced a 2-2 thriller.
The Kalinga Warriors were handed a 4-1 drubbing by reigning champions Mumbai City before taking on the Marina Machans, whilst the preceding game saw them edging past East Bengal by a 2-1 margin.
Head to Head Record
Bengaluru holds the upper hand in terms of head-to-head records, as they have won three of the five meetings against Odisha. The Kalinga Warriors have emerged victorious on only a solitary occasion, while another match ended in a stalemate.
The first meeting of this season ended 3-1 in Odisha’s favor. A Javi Hernandez brace and an Aridai Cabrera strike comprised the three goals netted by Kino Garcia’s team, whilst for Bengaluru, Alan Costa got his name on the scoresheet.
Team News
Lalruatthara could return in Odisha’s backline
With their backs to the wall, both head coaches could take a few risks in this match. Pezzaiouli is expected to strengthen his attack in a bid to score more goals, whilst compromising with the defensive stability of his side.
Congolese frontman Prince Ibara could be introduced in place of skipper Sunil Chhetri, who had a poor outing against the Highlanders, while Yana Banana might have to make way for Pratik Chaudhuri to maintain overseas count. Besides that, Wungngayam Muirang is likely to get the nod ahead of Parag Shrivas.
Garcia is expected to make three changes to the team that drew 2-2 against Chennaiyin. Full-back Lalruatthara will be available for selection after serving his one-game suspension, and he could replace Hendry Antonay.
Paul Ramfangzuava could be preferred ahead of Thoiba Singh in the middle of the park after the latter’s subpar display against the Marina Machans, while Jerry Mawihmingthanga could replace Redeem Tlang on the left flank.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Bengaluru (4-3-3): Lara Sharma; Namgyal Bhutia, Alan Costa, Pratik Chaudhuri, Wungngayam Muirang; Suresh Singh, Bruno Ramires, Danish Farooq; Udanta Singh, Cleiton Silva, Prince Ibara.
Odisha (4-2-3-1): Arshdeep Singh; Lalruatthara, Hector Rodas, Gaurav Bora, Sahil Panwar; Paul Ramfangzuava, Isaac Vanmalsawma; Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Javi Hernandez, Aridai Cabrera; Jonathas.
Prediction
Both sides have been unimpressive in the ongoing season, but head-to-head statistics are working in Bengaluru’s favor. Accordingly, we have predicted a 2-1 triumph for the Blues.