Bengaluru FC will take on Odisha FC in Match 97 of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 season at the Athletic Stadium in Panaji, Goa on Monday.

The Blues are sixth in the league table with 23 points in 17 matches while the Kalinga Warriors are seventh with 22 points in 17 matches.

Marco Pezzaiuoli's men lost 2-1 to NorthEast United FC in their last match. Chhetri and Co. took the lead around the hour mark but two late goals by NEUFC made it their second loss in row.

Odisha FC, on the other hand, played out a 2-2 draw against Chennaiyin FC in their last match. They had six shots on target compared to CFC’s three.

While both team’s semi-final aspirations rest on the result of other teams, they would still aim to be in contention for the race.

Head To Head

The two sides have faced each other on five occasions, out of which three of them went in Bengaluru FC’s favour, one in Odisha FC’s, and one resulted in a draw.

Form Guide

Bengaluru FC: WWWLL

Bengaluru FC have registered three wins and two back-to-back losses in their last five games. BFC were uneaten for nine games straight but defeats at the hands of Hyderabad FC and NorthEast United FC have dampened their top four aspirations.

Odisha FC: LDWLD

Odisha FC have drawn two, lost two and won one in their last five matches. They have collected only five points from a possible 15 during the backend of the season.

Team News

Bengaluru FC

In the official pre-match press conference, coach Marco Pezzaiuoli revealed that Gurpreet Singh Sandhu had high fever for five to six days and won’t be available for the Odisha FC’s game. He further clarified that Sandhu doesn’t have Covid-19,

Odisha FC

In the official pre-match press conference, coach Kino Garcia informed that he has a full squad available for selection against Bengaluru FC.

Key Players

Odisha FC

Javi Hernandez

The midfielder has scored six goals and provided five assists in 17 matches. He has scored all six goals from outside the box. Defensively, he has made 27 tackles, 11 blocks, 11 interceptions, and nine clearances.

Jonathas Cristian

The striker has eight goals and four assists in 14 matches. He has played under a thousand minutes till now but has proved to be influential whenever called off from the bench.

Bengaluru FC

Cleiton Silva

The forward has eight goals and three assists in 16 matches. His ability to link up with players around him poses a big threat to the opposition backlines.

Danish Farooq

The midfielder has two goals and two assists to his name in 15 matches. He has been key to BFC’s offensive play this season.

Key Stats

Century for BFC

Bengaluru FC’s match against Odisha FC will be their 100th match in the Hero ISL.

Set-Piece joy for one, trouble for others

Bengaluru FC have scored the joint highest goals from set-pieces (17) in the league this season. Whereas, Odisha FC have conceded more goals from set-pieces (15) than any other team this season.

Match timings and telecast details

Match: Bengaluru FC vs Odisha FC

Date: February 21, 2022

Venue: Athletic Stadium, Panaji, Goa

Kick-off time: 7.30 pm IST

Telecast: Star Sports Network

Online Streaming: Disney+Hotstar and JioTV.