Published 17:54 IST, October 19th 2019
ISL 2019-20: Kerala Blasters vs ATK team news and squad updates
ISL: Kerela Blasters are all set to host ATK at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on the opening day of the Indian Super League 2019-20 season on Sunday, October 20.
Advertisement
The sixth season of the Indian Super League (ISL) is ready to start with a bang on Sunday as ATK are set to travel to Jawarhal Nehru Stadium to play their first match of the season against Kerala Blasters. Both the sides experienced a fuzzy run last season and will try to change the direction in the 2019-20 ISL season. Both teams are entering the season after a hefty pre-season in different parts of the world. Kerala Blasters had their pre-season in UAE before returning to India after the first game. Kerela Blasters cruised past against Kerela Santosh Trophy team and South United during the training camp. Blasters shared the spoils with India Arrrows and were on the losing side against the I-League side Real Kashmir. As for ATK, they dominated their games against Peerless S.C and Southern Samity. The Kolkata-based team were beaten by Mohammedan S.C.
Advertisement
ISL: Kerela Blasters vs ATK: Team News
ISL: Kerala Blasters Team News
Kerela Blasters have met with an early blow even before the ISL 2019-20 season started. India's star defender Sandesh Jhingan has been ruled out for the entire season with an ACL tear which he suffered during his national duties. Players like Jairo Rodrigues and Gianni Zuiverloon were also in the injured lists during their pre-season games. Lalruatthara and Abdul Hakku are most likely to be placed on the flanks if Rodrigues and Zuiverloon get fit to resume for Kerela Blasters. Eelco Schattorie is most likely to play Mohammed Rafi and Bartholomew Ogbeche upfront. While he will be having many options in the midfield with a variety of options in players like Sahal Abdul Samad, Halicharan Narzary, Sergio Cidoncha and Mario Arques.
Advertisement
ISL: ATK Team News
Advertisement
ATK will be travelling without their two players as Anas Edathodika got booked with a red card in their Super Cup clash against Kerela Blasters. While Jobby Justin will be out of the squad for three matches due to the six-match ban imposed on him in I-League 2018-19. Prabir Das and Pritam Kotal are expected to start in the back as full-backs. While the centre-back duo Agus Garcia and John Johnson will be in the back. Davil Williams and Michael Soosairaj will play on the wings while Edu Garcia can be played as the lone striker. Habas can put Pronay Halder and Sehnaj Singh in the holding midfielders' role.
Advertisement
ISL: Kerela Blasters vs ATK: Predicted line-ups
Kerala Blasters: TP Rehenesh, Abdul Hakku, Gianni Zuiverloon, Jairo Rodrigues, Lalruatthara, Mario Arques, Sahal Abdul Samad, Sergio Cidoncha, Halicharan Narzary, Mohammed Rafi, Bartholomew Ogbeche
ATK: Dheeraj Singh, Pritam Kotal, John Johnson, Agus Garcia, Prabir Das, Pronay Halder, Sehnaj Singh, David Williams, Edu Garcia, Michael Soosairaj, Roy Krishna
16:05 IST, October 19th 2019