ISL 2017-18: Kerala Blasters vs FC Goa - TV channel, stream, kick-off time & match preview

Kerala Blasters play hosts to FC Goa in an Indian Super League (ISL) tie at the Jawaharlal Nehru International stadium in Kaloor, Kochi, on Sunday.

Game Kerala Blasters v FC Goa
Date Sunday, January 21
Time 8:00 PM IST (GMT +5:30)

TV CHANNELS & LIVE STREAM

The Star Sports Network have the exclusive broadcasting rights of the ISL. The games will be telecast with the option of English and/or Hindi commentary over their bouquet of television as well as digital platforms.

India (English) TV channel Online streams
Star Sports 2/HD Hotstar and Jio TV

Commentary will also be available in vernacular languages across India.
Hindi TV channel Bengali TV channel
Star Sports Hindi 1/ HD Jalsha Movies/HD
Malayalam TV channel Kannada TV channel
Asianet Movies/HD Suvarna Plus/HD

TEAM NEWS

KERALA BLASTERS:

Injured - None
Doubtful - Dimitar Berbatov
Suspended - None
Key Players - Iain Hume, Keziron Kizito

FC GOA:

Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Key Players: Manuel Lanzarote, Coro

GAME PREVIEW

David James’ side will be keen to seek revenge from FC Goa who thrashed them 5-2 earlier this season…
In what promises to be a grudge match for the home side, Kerala Blasters will have to play out of their skins to get a positive result against an attacking FC Goa unit.

When Kerala Blasters travelled to Goa, little did they know what was awaiting them. After leaking in just a single goal in three home games, they were literally whipped by Sergio Lobera’s side. Reputations were shattered and it was only the wastefulness of the Goan contingent that Kerala didn’t see a score-line of eight-to-ten goals.

On Sunday evening, The Tuskers have an opportunity to undo their mistakes and put in strong performance in Kochi. The good news for them is that Iain Hume is back in full fitness and good form. The Canadian striker has been harrying the opposition defenders, just like he did in the first three seasons of the Indian Super League (ISL), and can often force them to make errors.

However, what isn’t good news for the Kerala fans is that defensively still they look shaky. Against Jamshedpur FC, failure to clear a cross resulted in one of the goals and the other being thanks to poor positioning by their defenders.

There will be also be the question of who would start in between the sticks. Will David James opt for Subhasish Roy Chowdhury or Paul Rachubka? Also is Keziron Kizito fit for the tie after being taken off in the last game due to a knock? Meanwhile, star player Dimitar Berbatov continues to be on the sidelines.

FC Goa know that a win on Sunday will further consolidate their position in the top four. Lobera’s side have been an entertaining outfit and have scored goals for fun. All eyes will be on Ferran Corominas who scored thrice in seven minutes the last time these two sides met.

Manuel Lanzarote too has been in brilliant form as he not only provides assists but can also finish off chances. One complaint against the Spaniard has been the manner in which he provokes an opponent and is known to pick unnecessary fights as was witnessed against Bengaluru, Delhi and Jamshedpur.
There will be a lot of spotlight on Ahmed Jahouh, who is known to make a lot of tackles and has been lucky so far to not have seen at least two red cards. The Moroccan certainly needs to tone down the number of rash challenges and maybe focus on closing down an opponent or winning the ball cleanly off his feet.

The good news for Goa is that skipper Laxmikant Kattimani’s form has improved since the gaffes at the start of the season.
Lobera will hope for yet another positive result after their last two matches on the road didn’t yield positive results.

Can FC Goa do the double over Kerala or will the home side avenge their thrashing