Bengaluru FC will face Odisha FC in a vital Indian Super League (ISL) match on January 22, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. This encounter is critical for both teams as they look to regain momentum in the league.
Currently, Odisha FC holds the seventh position on the table with 21 points from 16 matches, while Bengaluru FC sits third with 28 points from an equal number of games. Odisha FC is striving to achieve their first-ever league double over Bengaluru FC, having secured a 4-2 victory in their previous meeting in December 2024. However, recent form has not been ideal for Odisha, with just one win and two draws in their last five outings.
Bengaluru FC, on the other hand, is aiming to bounce back after a disappointing 1-0 home loss to Mohammedan SC and a 1-1 draw with Hyderabad FC. They will look to avoid consecutive home defeats, a rarity for the club in the past two years.
Odisha FC’s Strength in Attack
Odisha FC has shown consistency in front of goal, scoring exactly two goals in each of their last three matches. Repeating this feat would tie their best streak of multi-goal games in ISL history. Notably, a significant majority (96.8%) of their goals this season have come from inside the penalty box. Bengaluru FC will need a solid defensive strategy to limit their opponents’ close-range scoring opportunities.
Bengaluru FC’s Defensive Struggles
Bengaluru FC has conceded goals in 11 consecutive matches, nearing an unwelcome club record. However, they remain among the top three teams in terms of clean sheets this season, with five to their name. Despite their defensive challenges, Bengaluru’s attack has been efficient, converting an expected goals (xG) tally of 17.15 into 29 goals. Sunil Chhetri leads their scoring efforts with 10 goals, while Ryan Williams and Edgar Mendez have added five and four goals, respectively.
Head-to-Head and Key Players
Bengaluru FC and Odisha FC have faced each other 11 times in ISL history, with Bengaluru winning five matches, Odisha securing four victories, and two games ending in draws.
Key players to watch include:
- Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC): With five goals in his last six matches, Chhetri is one contribution away from equaling Roy Krishna’s record of 84 ISL goal involvements.
- Diego Mauricio (Odisha FC): The forward has been a standout player in this fixture, scoring four goals. He aims to end his six-game scoring drought in this match.
- Ahmed Jahouh (Odisha FC): Jahouh is close to becoming the second player in ISL history to achieve 30 assists, though he hasn’t registered one in the last four matches.
Coaches’ Comments
Bengaluru FC’s Gerard Zaragoza emphasized the importance of home support, saying, “Playing at home with our fans is always a boost. We are determined to secure three points.” Odisha FC’s Sergio Lobera highlighted the need for balance, stating, “While scoring is crucial, our focus is on maintaining balance between attack and defense.”
Fantasy Picks and Viewing Options
For ISL fantasy enthusiasts, players like Naorem Roshan Singh (Bengaluru FC) and Mourtada Fall (Odisha FC) have been top performers this season. Roshan Singh has accumulated 79 fantasy points, while Fall leads his team with 95 points.
Fans can catch the action live on JioCinema and Sports18 channels, with commentary available in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam.
