There will be a battle of supremacy between Kerala Blasters and Chennaiyin FC.

Chennai (Uttam Hindu News): The south Indian rivalry of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 will reach its peak when Chennaiyin FC hosts Kerala Blasters FC at their home ground Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium on Friday, February 16 at 7:30 PM IST. .

Marina Machans will be eager to change their position in the points table, as they are currently one place above last with 12 points from 13 matches. Therefore, the coming nine matches will be very challenging for Chennaiyin FC.

Similarly, Kerala Blasters FC have also lost momentum since resuming after the mid-season break. The Ivan Vukomanovic-coached team has faced defeats in consecutive matches against Odisha FC and Punjab FC. Worried by injuries to their key players, the Kochi side will be keen to return to the top.

The Blasters (26) are five points behind league leaders Odisha FC (31), and have one more match than the Juggernauts (15). Despite the recent defeat, they can close the gap between themselves and Sergio Lobera’s side, and will look to build towards that goal with the clash against Chennaiyin FC.

Chennaiyin FC have faced difficulties against Kerala Blasters FC in recent times, going winless in their last seven matches against them in the league. However, Marina Machans have not lost in the last eight matches played against the Kochi-based team at their home ground. Out of them, they have won four matches and four matches have been drawn. But Chennaiyin FC have lost their last three league matches, so Owen Coyle needs to turn things around quickly.

Kerala Blasters FC went into the season break full of confidence after consistently impressive, entertaining performances. But the Blasters have been dealt a huge blow with the absence of Adrian Luna and Kwame Peprah, who lacked the X-factor in their attacking prowess. It seems that the burden of scoring for the team has also increased heavily on Dimitrios Diamantakos. Now the team has to ensure that all the players make appropriate and equal contribution by performing better from here on.