The visitors, on the other hand, have won four of their previous six fixtures, including the last two. A win against the two-time champions will see them entering the top four in the points table, keeping them very much in the race for a playoff berth. With the earlier fixture ending in a draw at Kochi, Kerala will be keen to collect all three points in front of a hostile crowd and in the process, register their first ever win at Kolkata.
HEAD TO HEAD
ATK 5 – 1 Kerala Blasters FC (3 draws)
KEY PLAYERS
Robbie Keane (ATK)
ATK have always looked sharp with the Irishman as the focal point in attack. Unfortunately, injuries haven’t been kind to the 37-year-old, but he has chipped in with two goals this season. A clinical finisher and a good poacher, Keane’s presence on the field has always motivated his teammates to strive for more, and he will again look to influence his side to a much-needed home win.
CK Vineeth (Kerala Blasters FC)
Kerala’s local boy is coming good during this crucial phase of the league. He has bagged four goals, including a dramatic last-gasp winner against FC Pune City in his team’s last encounter. Vineeth’s marauding runs down the flanks have caused problems for every team this season, and he will want to create a major impact in Kolkata to see his team through.
POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS
ATK
Ashley Westwood will probably go with the 4-4-2 formation, allowing enough movement in the midfield to aid both attack and defence.
Goalkeeper: Debjit Majumder
Defenders: Keegan Pereira, Jordi Montel, Tom Thorpe, Prabir Das
Midfielders: David Cotterill, Conor Thomas, Rupert Nongrum, Jayesh Rane
Forward: Robin Singh, Robbie Keane
ATK’s interim head coach on the team’s approach to the fixture: “In football, whether you play to win in training or whether you play to win on a field, for me it’s second nature. That’s the kind of mentality we are trying to instil to these players. For me, you have to motivate and win football matches and I’m sure they will be fine tomorrow.”
Kerala Blasters FC
David James is likely to counter with his own 4-4-2 formation, to provide balance in the gameplay on either end.
Goalkeeper: Subhasish Roy
Defenders: Lalruatthara, Wes Brown, Nemanja Lakic-Pesic, Rino Anto
Midfielders: Courage Pekuson, Victor Forcada, Milan Singh, Jackichand Singh
Forwards: CK Vineeth, Iain Hume
Kerala’s head coach on the depth and quality in his squad: “There is a lot of talent in the team and I was genuinely surprised that they weren’t higher up in the table. This is a very talented squad. Give them the right environment and they can flourish. I am very fortunate to have such good players, not just talent-wise, but also thoroughly enthusiastic to get on and do well.”
KEY STATS
Kerala have never won against ATK in Kolkata
The last time David James faced ATK was when he was a Kerala player, in the final of the inaugural edition of the league (ATK won 1-0 to be crowned as the champions)
ATK have scored the least number of goals this season (8) till date
LAST ENCOUNTER
ATK 0 – 0 Kerala Blasters (11th November 2017 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi)
FORM GUIDE (Last five matches)
ATK: L L L L W
Kerala Blasters FC: W W L L W