ISL: Top-four aspirants Kerala, Chennaiyin to battle it out

Eelco Schattorie-managed Kerala, which has 14 points from as many games, has no other option but to go for all three points if it is to keep its slim chances of making it to the play-offs alive. Chennaiyin, with 18 points from 13 matches, can draw level with Odisha FC, which has 21 points from 15 games, with a win.

“Mathematically, anyone can reach the fourth spot. Odisha won four games in a row. We were also behind but then won two games in succession at the beginning of the year. It is all about that momentum, any team can qualify,” said Kerala assistant coach Ishfaq Ahmed, who will deputise for the suspended Schattorie.

Kerala started 2020 with two consecutive victories but back-to-back defeats against Jamshedpur FC and FC Goa has left it in a desperate state. Moreover, the absence of defender Victor Drobarov and defensive midfielder Moustapha Gning owing to suspension will be a huge blow.

However, one positive for the host will be the form of Raphael Messi Bouli and Bartholomew Ogbeche. Both of them have been in good goal-scoring form upfront, contributing eight and seven hits respectively. Visiting side Chennaiyin is in a purple patch as of now. It has won its last three games and scored four past Jamshedpur in the last match. With ISL top-scorer Nerijus Valskis (10 goals) and Andre Schembri among the goals, and Raphael Crivellaro pulling the strings in midfield, Owen Coyle’s team has shown a lot of promise in attack. Anirudh Thapa and Edwin Sydney Vanspaul, who has been deployed in midfield recently, will once again have to control the game.

But Coyle will want his defence to show a bit more solidity, after showing a tendency to concede cheap goals. “We have shown that we can defend well. We are getting better at it. If we continue to do that, it will help us moving forward. Both teams have terrific attackers and we are well aware of Kerala’s threat,” said Coyle.

 Mumbai City FC did its Indian Super League top-four ambitions a huge favour with a 1-0 win over NorthEast United FC at the Mumbai Football Arena here on Friday. A first half goal from Diego Carlos (44’) was all that Jorge Costa’s men needed to notch an important win at home while NorthEast went a fourth successive game without scoring. The win sees Mumbai City climb to fourth on the table, two points clear of fifth-placed Odisha FC, while NorthEast, winless in nine games, is second from bottom.