ISL 2015: Three reasons why Delhi Dynamos will beat Kerala Blasters tonight

12/03/2015

Delhi Dynamos will host bottom-placed Kerala Blasters in their penultimate match of the group stage at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday. A win for the home side will see them climb to the top of the Indian Super League (ISL) standings, while the Blasters need to avoid a defeat to move out of the bottom of the table.

Prediction: Delhi Dynamos 2-0 Kerala Blasters

1. Delhi Dynamos' impeccable home record

In the previous five home matches for Delhi in ISL 2015, they have won two and drawn three. With the team already qualified for the play-offs with two matches in hand, we can expect the Lions to go for the top spot in the table.

Kerala, on the other hand, have only one away win this season, which came in the form of a 4-1 victory against NorthEast United FC at Guwahati. The Blasters have also conceded 13 goals in their six away games, and it is only expected to increase against Delhi.

2. Kerala’s terrible form

Kerala Blasters, who finished last season as the runners-up, lie at the bottom of the table going into their final game of the season. The Blasters only have three wins from their thirteen games and also suffered a 1-5 drubbing against FC Goa in their last match at Kochi. The Men in Yellow have conceded a total of 10 goals in their last three games and hold the ignominious record of being the worst defence in the league along with Mumbai, having conceded 24 goals.

With the Blasters going through a terrible run, we cannot see anything past an easy victory for the Dynamos.

3. Delhi’s tight defence and knack of scoring late goals

Delhi Dynamos have scored a total of 13 goals this season (the least along with Mumbai City FC), with six of them coming in the last ten minutes of the game. But, Roberto Carlos’ side has tasted success despite the low goals on the back of the best defence in the league, conceding just 14 goals in thirteen matches.

This deadly combo of a tight defence and late goals has been the success mantra for the Lions this season.