The League Shield winners concluded the league stage with two back-to-back defeats, including one against Bengaluru FC, and will look to end the visitors' nine-game winning streak to carry an advantage to the second leg on Sunday
Looking ahead to the semifinals, head coach Des Buckingham spoke about how the squad is gearing up for a knockout clash after they finished top of the table at the end of the ISL League Stage.
Having finished fifth in the ISL standings, the Blasters will square of against fourth-placed Bengaluru FC, with a semi-final spot at stake. The winner will go on to face league shield winners Mumbai City FC in a two-legged semi-final
Bengaluru FC is entering this fixture high on confidence with Grayson's side currently on an eight-match winning streak, the longest in the club's history. Whereas Kerala Blasters FC are coming into this game after a loss against Hyderabad FC in the last league fixture. The Blasters have los
Sivasakthi Narayanan added two more goals to his season's tally and Pablo Perez came on to score the third for the Blues as they ended the Gaurs' playoff race and confirmed Odisha FC's entry as the sixth and final team in the playoffs.
Morale is high for a Bengaluru FC side that extended their winning streak in the ISL to six games this past weekend, their longest-ever streak. A much-needed victory against arch-rivals Kerala Blasters FC handed the Blues the bragging rights and lofted them back up into the playoff spots.
Having set up their longest winning streak in ISL history, Bengaluru FC will play the newly crowned league winners Mumbai City FC next on February 15 to try and solidify their playoff chances. Meanwhile, Kerala Blasters are yet to confirm their playoff qualification this season and will have
A win for the Blasters will confirm their qualification for the playoffs, while the Blues have a chance to pull further clear of Odisha FC in the skirmish for sixth place.
Roca who guided Bengaluru FC to the final in their first-ever ISL season in 2017-18 will return to the club in his new role. It is also a homecoming for Caldeira who played for the Blues from 2013 to 2015 and once again in the 2016-17 campaign.
The win, their fourth in a row, put them into the top six for the first time since Matchweek 2 of the season, and created a five-point cushion between themselves and Chennaiyin FC
The Blues are six points off sixth place, currently occupied by FC Goa. Odisha FC is three points ahead of the Gaurs (FC Goa) and will be looking to extend that advantage and move up the table.