Semi-Final 1- Jamshedpur vs Kerala Blasters: Preview and Prediction
Jamshedpur will lock horns with Kerala Blasters in the first leg of ‘Semi-Final 1’ of the 2021-22 Indian Super League season at the Fatorda Stadium on Friday where both teams will be aiming to get an early advantage ahead of the second leg scheduled to take place at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Tuesday.
Jamshedpur has been spectacular throughout the season and deservingly lifted the ISL League Winners’ Shield last Monday. The Red Miners won thirteen of their twenty league stage matches and accumulated 43 points – five more than their nearest competitors Hyderabad.
While Jamshedpur will be making their first appearance in the semi-finals, Kerala Blasters has finally made it through to this stage after over five years. The Tuskers finished their league campaign in the fourth position, with 34 points in their account from 20 matches.
Current Form
The level of confidence in the Jamshedpur camp cannot be any higher ahead of this important clash, as they have won all of their last seven matches. Owen Coyle’s men are coming into this game on the back of a 1-0 victory against ATK Mohun Bagan, which handed the first silverware in the history of the club.
Before taking on the Mariners, the Red Miners defeated Odisha and Hyderabad comprehensively, by margins of 5-1 and 3-0 respectively. Nigerian striker Daniel Chima Chukwu scored three of those eight goals.
Kerala Blasters’ players will also have their heads held high ahead of this game, as they are unbeaten in their previous three fixtures following a defeat against Hyderabad. In their last match, Ivan Vukomanovic’s team played out a thrilling 4-4 draw against Goa.
The Tuskers won 3-1 against reigning champions Mumbai City in the preceding game, whereas before facing the Islanders, they won 3-0 against Chennaiyin. Jamshedpur’s defenders will need to bring their A-game to the table for Kerala Blasters’ attackers will be smelling blood, having scored ten goals in their last three matches.
Head to Head Record
Jamshedpur holds the upper hand in terms of head-to-head records, as they have won three of the ten meetings against Kerala Blasters. The Tuskers have emerged victorious on only a solitary occasion, whereas interestingly, as many as six matches have failed to produce a winner.
One such stalemate was played out in the first leg of the league phase where both clubs settled for a point in a 1-1 draw, with Sahal Abdul Samad and Greg Stewart getting their names on the scoresheet. However, the Red Miners ran riots in the second leg as they registered a 3-0 triumph. Stewart scored a brace for Coyle’s team, whilst the other goal was scored by Chukwu.
Team News
Jorge Pereyra Diaz is likely to be reunited with Alvaro Vazquez upfront for Kerala Blasters
Coyle is likely to make a couple of changes to his starting XI that won 1-0 against ATK Mohun Bagan, with one of them expected to be a forced change. Boris Singh Thangjam might not be fit to feature in this match after sustaining an injury in that match against the Mariners.
In case he fails to make the cut, Seimenlen Doungel is likely to be deployed on the right flank. Besides that, Mobashir Rahman is likely to be reinstated in the middle of the park after serving his two-match suspension, with Jitendra Singh making way for him.
Vukomanovic is expected to make four changes to his team that drew 4-4 against Goa, with all the big names set to return after getting some much-deserved rest. In the backline, Ruivah Hormipam could come in for Enes Sipovic.
Despite playing well against the Gaurs, Chenco Gyeltshen looks certain to make way for Adrian Luna, whereas Givson Singh might be replaced by Puitea. Jorge Pereyra Diaz is likely to be reunited with Alvaro Vazquez upfront, with Rahul KP making way for the Spaniard.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Jamshedpur (4-2-3-1): TP Rehenesh; Laldinliana Renthlei, Eli Sabia, Peter Hartley, Ricky Lallawmawma; Pronay Halder, Mobashir Rahman; Seimenlen Doungel, Greg Stewart, Ritwik Das; Daniel Chima Chukwu.
Kerala Blasters (4-4-2): Prabhsukhan Gill; Sandeep Singh, Ruivah Hormipam, Marko Leskovic, Sanjeev Stalin; Sahal Abdul Samad, Ayush Adhikari, Puitea, Adrian Luna; Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Alvaro Vazquez.
Prediction
Jamshedpur will have momentum on their side, whilst the head-to-head statistics are also inclined in their favor. Accordingly, we have predicted a 2-1 triumph for the Red Miners.