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Delhi Dynamos are set to host bottom-placed Kerala Blasters in their penultimate game of the league fixtures. Roberto Carlos’s side sealed their spot in the playoffs with a win against NorthEast United in their previous game and a win against last season’s finalists could see them reach the summit of the standings.
For Terry Phelan though, it is a dead rubber as Kerala Blasters find themselves out of the running to secure the final play-off spot following their humiliating defeat against FC Goa at home.
It was a Richard Gadze goal in the 87th minute that secured a 1-0 win at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi when the two sides met last and Carlos will be hoping his side can maintain their form heading into the final month of the season.
It has been a disastrous season for the Blasters who have literally fallen from the highs of last season to the bottom this time around, and the Sachin Tendulkar owned side will be hoping they can give their fans something to cheer about in what will be their final game of this season’s Indian Super League (ISL).
Kick Off & Live Telecast
Live Telecast: StarSports 2 & 3, StarSports HD2 & HD3
Live Streaming: starsports.com
Date and Time: Thursday, 3rd December 2015 – 1900 IST
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium - Delhi
Live updates on Sportskeeda
Team News
Delhi Dynamos
Carlos will head into the game with a decision to make on the fitness of right back Souvik Chakraborty who was stretchered off in the previous game against the Highlanders. There are no other injury concerns for the Brazilian, though it will be interesting to see if he gives a run-in to the lesser used players in the tournament.
The likes of Anwar Ali, Serginho Greene and even Carlos for that matter could feature to gain more match practice. Carlos confirmed that both Vinicius and Chicao would be rested for the game.
Kerala Blasters
For Phelan and Trevor Morgan, this is the last chance to reclaim some lost pride in the tournament and the English manager has confirmed that he will play his strongest available lineup for the game. Phelan mentioned that with pride at stake, his side will play their best football hoping to put one last smile on the face of the Kerala faithful.
There are no injury concerns for the side and Phelan is expected to name the same line-up that was beaten convincingly by FC Goa in the previous game.
Probable XI
Delhi Dynamos XI: Doblas; Riise, Anas, Sehnaj, Zodilingana; Mulder, Serginho, Malouda, Len; Gadze, Robin
Kerala Blasters XI: Nandy; Bheke, Dey, Sandesh, Ramage; Josu, Vineeth, Currais, Ahmed; Dagnall, German
Key Battles
Antonio German vs Mulder
Things might not have gone the Kerala Blasters’ way this season, but the fine form of Antonio German has definitely been the silver lining for the side in yellow this season. With five goals in eight appearances so far, German has been one of the brightest stars in the tournament so far. The former QPR winger will come up against the stern presence of Hans Mulder in the midfield who will be handed over the task of stopping the forward.
The former Real Sociedad midfielder who is into his second season now in the ISL has done well to cement his place in the starting lineup and allows Carlos a viable option in the defensive midfield role in the absence of Chicao. The Dutchman will be up against a tricky opponent in German and with the 26-year old oozing great pace he could turn out to be a huge threat during counter attacks.
Robin Singh vs Sandesh Jhingan
The battle between the Indian duo will be the one to look out for. Robin Singh looks a changed man in the Delhi Dynamos colours scoring four goals in the tournament so far. The on-loan Bengaluru FC striker has come up with goals on key occasions and has definitely been one of the prime reasons for the side’s success in the tournament so far.
Life hasn’t been the same for Jhingan though who has only seen disappointment in the tournament so far. Blasters, despite scoring more goals than last season find themselves in the wrong end of the table and much of it has been due to their poor defense.
Jhingan who was one of the finds of last season has failed to replicate similar form. Against Dynamos, though, Sandesh will be hoping to cap off his second ISL season with a performance worth some praise in a rather disastrous two months.
Prediction
There is not much to play for the Blasters and with the home side unbeaten at the capital so far in the tournament, this could result in a comfortable win for Carlos’ men.
Delhi Dynamos 2-0 Kerala Blasters
