Kerala host Pune with both teams looking to return to winning ways

It’s fifth Vs fourth as the ISL playoffs race heats up…

Kerala Blasters host FC Pune City in a Indian Super League mat the at the caldron that is the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Friday. Both teams will be looking to get back to winning ways after defeat in their last match. Kerala were trounced by league leaders Mumbai City FC, while Pune suffered a narrow defeat against NorthEast United. Kerala Blasters are outside the top four for now with 15 points from 11 matches but a win against Pune, placed fourth with the same number of points but a better goal difference will push them to the second spot, behind league leaders Mumbai City FC. Team News The hosts have no injury concerns or suspensions, but manager Steve Coppell may ring the changes after the defeat in Mumbai. The visitors too are at full strength, but have struggled to find goals this season. However, in a touch place like Koice manager Antonio Lopez Habas will have to mix pragmatism with attacking endeavour. Head to Head Tomorrow’s hosts hold the advantage in games between these two teams with three wins to one. The only draw between the two came earlier in the season when it finished in a 1-1 stalemate in Pune. Man to Watch CK Vineeth-Kerala Blasters: The forward has been catalyst fir Blasters’ revival this season after returning from AFC Cup duty with Bengaluru FC. With three goals in his last two home games he will once again be the man to watch against Pune. Eugeneson Lyngdoh-FC Pune City: The midfielder has brought invention and creativity to a midfield that has been lacking for ideas. He scored the only goal in his team’s Maha Derby win over regional rivals Mumbai recently. If Pune are to carry a threat in front of goal against a mostly efficient Blasters defence much of the supply will have to come from the creative maestro. Probable Line-ups Kerala Blasters: Stack, Chaudhari, Hengbart, Jhingan, Anto, Hossain, Mahamat, Vineeth, Kadio, Currais, German. FC Pune City: Apoula Edima Edel Bete(GK), Eduardo Ferreira, Dharmaraj Ravanan, Gouramangi Singh Moirangthem, Narayan Das, Lenny Rodrigues, Mohamed Sissoko(C), Arata Izumi, Momar Ndoye, Jonatan Lucca, Anibal Zurdo Rodriguez. Broadcast: The match will be telecast live on Star Sports 2, Start Sports HD 2, Star Sports 1, Start Sports HD1, Star Gold, Star Gold HD, Jalsha Movies, Jalsha Movies HD and HOTSTAR. You can also follow khelnow’s live text commentary of the game on khelnow.com Photo © ISL Media