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Kerala Blasters FC host Delhi Dynamos FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Saturday. Last year’s finalists are on a bad patch of form, having lost their previous two fixtures against Jamshedpur FC and FC Goa, respectively. The hosts need to pull up their socks against visiting Delhi to keep up their gradually fading hopes of making the playoffs.
The Lions, on the other hand, still languish at the bottom of the league table. They were edged 3 – 2 by Jamshedpur FC in their previous fixture after leading 2 – 0 at one point and hence, would want to tighten their backline and be at their attacking best when they visit a hostile stadium in Kochi. Added to this is the fact that when these two teams met earlier this season, Kerala registered a comprehensive 3-1 victory, thanks to a glorious Iain Hume hattrick.
HEAD TO HEAD
Kerala Blasters FC 3–3 Delhi Dynamos FC (3 draws)
KEY PLAYERS
Courage Pekuson (Kerala Blasters)
The Ghanaian has been a powerhouse in the midfield for Kerala. His pacey runs and clinical passing has always kept the opposition defence on their toes. A strong player, he can hold off play well and surges forward frequently, creating openings in abundance. He has a goal and four assists to his name this season, and will be looking to be his usual influential self in a crucial tie.
Kalu Uche (Delhi Dynamos FC)
The Nigerian had a slow start to the season and was sidelined due to injury for a few games, but he has been a key figure in the attack line for the Lions. A player with great strength and possessing good poaching instinct, Uche has a knack for being at the right place at the right time, while also being clinical with his finishing. He has netted four times already and has also bagged an assist. He will look to inspire and lead his team to a win in a tough away fixture.
POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS
Kerala Blasters FC
David James will probably use a regular 4-4-2 formation to provide balance in the gameplay.
Goalkeeper: Subhasish Roy Chowdhury
Defenders: Lalruatthara, Wes Brown, Nemanja Lakic-Pesic, Sandesh Jhingan
Midfielders: Courage Pekuson, Keziron Kizito, Milan Singh, Jackichand Singh
Forwards: CK Vineeth, Iain Hume
Kerala’s gaffer on how he looks forward to the season: “I have been watching all the games since our last match, hoping that they would all be draws or wins for the teams below us, so that we would have a chance to catch the ones above us. But, it’s simple. We have six games and we have to win all six.”
Delhi Dynamos FC
Miguel Portugal may stick to his 4-2-3-1 formation, as Delhi look to be more clinical in the final third.
Goalkeeper: Sukhdev Patil
Defenders: Pritam Kotal, Pratik Chowdhary, Gabriel Cichero, Munmun Lugun
Midfielders: Matias Mirabaje, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Guyon Fernandez, Paulinho Dias, Romeo Fernandes
Forward: Kalu Uche
The visiting head coach on his team’s way forward: “Corners are our problems. When we play football on the ground, we play very well. We play with quality. But, our problem is also individual duels.”
KEY STATS
Delhi have won the least number of games this season (2) while Kerala have won the second-least (3)
Delhi are the only team so far to concede in excess of 20 goals (27)
Kerala have drawn the most number of matches so far this season (5)
LAST ENCOUNTER
Delhi Dynamos 1 – 3 Kerala Blasters FC (10th January 2018 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi)
FORM GUIDE
Kerala Blasters FC: L L W W D
Delhi Dynamos FC: L W L D L
