Saturday night sees average Kerala Blasters play host to bottom side Delhi Dynamos. This game, on paper, doesn’t seem like a very entertaining game. However, both teams really need a win and that could force them to go out and attack each other. It could be said that David James is walking a tightrope right now with his job security so he will definitely want his team to pick up the three points and get the fans back on their side. Let’s get into the stats…
The Stats…
Kerala Blasters currently sit 7th in the league, winning three, losing four and drawing five. They have scored thirteen this season, which isn’t great, and conceded sixteen goals, also, not great. They come into the game on the back of two losses, both 2-1 scorelines. Another negative for Kerala is the fact they have been first to concede in five of their last seven games and they have only kept one clean sheet in the previous seven games, an awful defensive record that James will definitely want to change sooner rather than later.
Delhi go into the game sitting dead last in the table and have only managed to win two games throughout the season, losing eight and only drawing once. They have managed twelve goals this season, which isn’t that different to their opponents, however, they have conceded a shocking total of twenty-seven goals this season, and if they want to get off the bottom of the table, then they need to sort this record out now.
Delhi has an awful record going into the game, losing three of the last five they have played. They have also failed to keep a clean sheet in the four of the previous five played, this is not surprising though with the goals conceded tally being so high. This stat is for the punters that are reading as four of the previous five games Delhi have played have ended with over 2.5 goals, and with this at 8/11, this could be worth going on.
Previous Encounters…
The last time these two sides met was a couple of weeks ago. The game ended 3-1 to Kerala thanks to a Hume hattrick. Interestingly, Delhi came out on top on the majority of the stats, having 62% possession, fifteen shots in total, and forced more saves from their opponent’s goalkeeper. However, Kerala took the only stat that really matters and put three past Delhi.
Their other recent meetings also had Kerala come out on top and I am sure Delhi will want to break this streak of three wins and, depending on how NorthEast did the previous day, go joint bottom with NorthEast.
The Game Itself…
Like I said previously, looking at the table, this game doesn’t have the best feeling about it. Delhi are both letting goals in for fun and struggling to score at all. Whilst, Kerala are just playing average football. However, when you take both clubs current circumstances, then you actually have a good tie ahead of you.
Kerala fans aren’t the happiest with the team, and especially, David James, so they will be looking to beat Delhi and regain the confidence of the fans. But, Delhi have the chance, depending on the NorthEast result, to catch their rivals and finally have a good, fighting chance to not finish bottom of the league.
Kerala have a new signing though, striker Gudjon Baldvinsson, and I am sure he will want to make the best first impression possible. David James must be liking his chances a little more now that Gudjon is on his side.
Key Player…
There was a two-way competition for the title this time out. One player, I was considering was Dynamos striker Kalu Uche, he scored two in the last game and tried to carry his side to victory and so he could be a dangerous player for Kerala’s defence.
However, I have gone with the ever-reliant Iain Hume. He scored an impressive hattrick when the two sides last met and I am sure he will be looking forward to facing the same defence. He could also have a new partner up top with him in Baldvinsson, and I am sure the two of them will have a fruitful relationship for Kerala.
Finally…
I will simply leave you with this, I expect a closely fought contest with the game ending 2-2. However, if I had to pick a team to win, it would be Kerala, as the signing of Baldvinsson could be a massive one, come the end of the season. I’ll let Jake decide whether there will be a house bet, as, if I get it wrong I will never hear the end of it…
