Welcome to Sportstar’s live blog of this evening’s Jamshedpur FC vs Kerala Blasters Indian Super League (ISL 2021-22) clash being played at the GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim, Goa. This is Aneesh Dey bringing you the pre-match buildup and minute-by-minute updates.

6-00 pm: Here is how we think both teams will lineup!!

Jamshedpur FC Predicted XI: Rehenesh TP, Narender Gahlot, Laldinliana Renthlei, Peter Hartley, Ricky Lallawmawma, Alexandre Lima, Jitendra Singh, Seimeinlen Doungel, Greg Stewart, Boris Singh, Daniel Chima Chukwu.

Kerala Blasters Predicted XI: Prabhsukhan Gill (GK), Nishu Kumar, Ruivah Hormipam, Marko Leskovic, Ayush Adhikari, Harmanjot Khabra, Sahal Samad, Adrian Luna, Jeakson Singh, Jorge Diaz, Alvaro Vazquez.

5-45 pm: Head-to-head record!!

Both sides have played nine matches out of which six have ended in a draw. Jamshedpur FC has recorded two wins while Kerala Blasters FC has managed one.

MATCH PREVIEW

After beating NorthEast United 2-1, and thus returning to its winning ways, Kerala Blasters takes on Jamshedpur FC at Bambolim’s GMC Athletic Stadium on Thursday.

A win will make the men from Kochi – they are on 23 points from 13 games and are placed second — join Hyderabad FC atop the table.

They, however, must be well aware that it wouldn’t be easy against a Jamshedpur side that would be desperate to bounce back after going down 1-3 to Bengaluru FC in the last match.

Before that defeat though, Owen Coyle’s boys had been on a three-game winning streak. They are just one point behind Blasters and are placed fifth. Coyle knows Blasters is a tough opponent.

“They have a good coach and some wonderful players,” he said.

“We drew the game the last time against them; we could have won. We created a lot of opportunities in the last game and we need to be more clinical.”

ALSO READ |
ISL 2021-22: Coach Vukomanovic is a silent killer, says I.M. Vijayan

They would also need to keep in check the fabulous foreign trio of Blasters – Adrian Luna, Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Alvaro Vazquez, who scored that stunning goal from the half-way line against NorthEast.

Ivan Vukomanovic’s boys are ready for the challenge from Jamshedpur. “We want to fight for the fans,” said the coach.

“The energy we get from them is amazing. We are motivated to finish higher up the table. We are all smiling together and enjoying playing together. It is very tight but we will keep fighting.”

Where can you watch the match?