ISL 2025-26: Odisha FC hopes to achieve better away record against high-flying Kerala Blasters

After lifting themselves out of the relegation zone and ending their winless streak on home turf, Kerala Blasters will look to continue their resurgence when they meet Odisha FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Thursday in the 2025-26 Indian Super League season.

The ‘Ashley Westwood Effect’ has transformed Blasters from a wrestling outfit to a competitive outfit in just a few weeks. The Yellow Army threw the form book out the window as they surprised Bengaluru FC and Jamshedpur FC for much-needed wins and are enjoying a rare three-match unbeaten run.

However, Blasters is still a work in progress and untimely injuries to key midfielders Danish Farooq and Karim Benarif will put pressure on the team against Odisha.

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Both Danish and Karim have played tremendous roles in the Blasters’ late resurgence. Assistant coach Peter Hartley said the medical team was working on both players and he was not overly concerned about their availability.

“We have a system and personnel that come in and go out. Everyone in the squad knows their role and what our goal is,” he said.

Hartley said he expected a tough match from Odisha FC, who are currently at 13th position with six points from seven matches. «Odisha is a good team and they are not a one-dimensional side. They play football the right way. We have our plans ready. Our fundamentals and principles change depending on the team we are playing,» he said.

Odisha, under former Kerala Blasters assistant coach TG Purushothaman, has been resilient even if it has not traveled well. The Juggernauts will try to flip that script against Blasters.

Published on April 22, 2026