ISL 2024-25: Disciplined Mohun Bagan looks to cement lead against struggling Kerala Blasters

The defending Indian Super League (ISL) Shield champion Mohun Bagan Super Giant will be looking to extend its current form when it hosts a struggling Kerala Blasters in a match week 12 encounter of the ISL – 11 at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Saturday.

Returning home after a league double against NorthEast United FC, Mohun Bagan will hope to continue its unbeaten run and find its eighth win in the League. The Mariners are currently on top of the standings with 23 points from 10 matches.

Mohun Bagan has emerged as one of the standout performers in ISL, highlighting a strong unflinching defence and a versatile attack under Spanish head coach Jose Molina. This has made the host a formidable force at home, where it has won four out of the five ISL matches so far this season.

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The host will look to match its record-breaking run in 2022 where it registered five consecutive home wins between October and December.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Mohun Bagan’s performance has been the discipline in defence. It has managed a clean sheet in six of its last seven ISL games. The only time it conceded a goal was against Odisha FC when it visited Bhubaneswar (on November 10) to play a 1-1 draw.

Placed 10th in the standings with 11 points from as many matches, Kerala Blasters’ erratic form has been its biggest concern as it lost both at home and away, coming into this match. It has just one win (against debutant Mohammedan Sporting) to its credit in the five matches on the road.

Kerala will be counting on this favourable factor as it meets the second Kolkata-based outfit in its sixth away clash.

Despite the difference in their situations in the league table, both sides have done well in attack.

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Mohun Bagan has struck 19 times in its 10 matches while the Blasters have found the net on 17 occasions. But what lends more versatility to the Mariners’ attack is a well-balanced approach, which can be gauged from the fact that a host of players have contributed to the scoring.

Subhasish Bose (3), Jamie Maclaren (3), Manvir Singh (3), Jason Cummings (2), and Liston Colaco (2) all have multiple goals to their names. For the Blasters, most of their goals have come through the attacking duo of Jesus Jimenez (8) and Noah Sadaoui (4).

And the form of both will be crucial as Kerala Blasters look to regain its winning form.