Kerala Blasters
V
Chennaiyin FC
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi
.
31 October, 2015
***
Kerala Blasters, who play host to Chennaiyin FC in match 26 of Hero Indian Super League, play for the first time since sacking Peter Taylor. Sachin Tendulkar co-owned side are looking ot end a four match losing streak.
Kerala Blasters under Trevor Morgan will aim to put a stop to their losing streak, while Chennaiyin FC will look to extend the misery for the Blasters as they aim to regain their spot in the top four. Marco Matterazi and Chennaiyin FC though will eye for revenge as the fixture against Kerala Blasters proved to a fiery fixture in last yeara s semi-finals .
Team News and Tactical Brief
Kerala Blasters
Kerala Blasters had favoured a 5-3-2 approach under Taylor, but a change of formation is expected with rumours of players complaining about the tactics had surfaced. Trevor Morgan prefers to lineup in a 4-4-2 formation and a host of players are expected to welcome this change. Stephen Bywater is expected to retain his place in the goal but the defence will see a host of changes. The four man defence is likely to see quite a few East Bengal player returning to lineup. Rahul Bheke and Saumik Dey are expected to flank the foreign pair of Peter Ramage and Bruno Perone. Mehtab Hossain, Ishfaq Ahmed will partner Josu and Coimbra in midfield. Md. Rafi and Chris Dagnall are likely to continue as forwards having formed an interesting relationship between themselves.
Probable starting eleven: Bywater; Bheke, Ramage, Perone, Saumik; Ishfaq, Mehtab, Josu, Coimbra; Dagnall, Rafi.
Chennaiyin FC
Chennaiyin FC, having been rested in the previous round, will be raring to go and will look to cash in on the form of Elano and Mendoza. Chennaiyin will look to play with the same lineup that has helped them for so long in the campaign, as Materazzi would hardly want to tinker with a winning combination. Karanjit is likely to continue in goal keeping Bete on the bench in this match as well. Wadoo and Sena Ralte are likely to be the two full backs for Chennaiyin with Mailson and Mendy mopping up the danger in the centre of the defence. The industrious duo of Thoi Singh and Jayesh Rane, who has been in excellent form throughout the second season, are likely to continue their roles in the flanks. Blasi and Augusto will play in the double pivot to allow Elano to strut his usual creative stuff. Colombian Mendoza who has been in red hot form in recent matches, will look to score more goals having found a competitor in Sunil Chhetri for the race of the golden boot.
Probable starting eleven : Karanjit; Wadoo, Mailson, Mendy, Sena Ralte; Thoi, Blasi, Augusto, Rane; Elano; Mendoza
Prediction
Kerala Blasters 1-2 Chennaiyin FC
Kerala Blasters may have a change in coach but it wouldna t be ablse to arrest their losing streak against an inform Chennaiyin FC. The duo of Elano and Mendoza will prove too much to handle for the Kerala defence, which is quite porous in nature. The Hard Tackle predicts a win for Chennaiyin FC
Image Courtesy:Indian Super League Media Team
