Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) faces a stiff challenge to retain its place at the top of the points table as they square off against Kerala Blasters FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on Wednesday.
A 3-1 win in the Kolkata Derby took the Mariners (11 wins, three draws and three losses) to the first place, but they are joint on points with Mumbai City FC in the second, with both teams tallying 36 points each currently. But, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, they have done that in a game fewer (17) than the Islanders (18), as per a press release from ISL.
As for Kerala Blasters FC, four losses in the last five games means that they have fallen below in the standings, placed fifth at the moment. They have 29 points from 17 games after nine wins, two draws and six losses, and a victory here will take them to 32 in 18, still four behind the Mariners and Mumbai City FC.
It is not easy to breach the bastion of Kochi though, with FC Goa having faltered when they squandered a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 here last month. The Mariners are in a phenomenal run of form, unbeaten under the watch of Antonio Lopez Habas, but to overcome Kerala Blasters FC in their backyard will be no mean task.

The Kerala Blasters FC midfielder has been donning an important responsibility at the centre of the park for head coach Ivan Vukomanovic. The 21-year-old has made 17 appearances this season with 35 passes per game at 81 per cent accuracy. He has made five clearances, won six aerial duels, and made six interceptions, in addition to making 93 recoveries throughout this season.
He has won 53 duels, made 14 successful dribbles, made six key passes, and also created six goal-scoring opportunities. -TIN Bureau