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Can we call it a renaissance of sorts? Or perhaps is it too early to jump the gun? These are questions that cannot be answered for sure at the moment, with regards to FC Pune City, but one thing can be said for sure, the home stadium advantage has rubbed off on the team. With a clinical performance in their previous game on October 26, FC Pune City ousted FC Goa in their third match of the season, scoring their first win of the Indian Super League (ISL) in the process.
And come October 30, they will be looking to continue their good run of form against bottom placed Kerala Blasters, who travel to the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi hoping to prove a point themselves, after having won a hard fought point by drawing against Atletico de Kolkata at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on October 26.
In its previous game against Goa, both Pune and Goa were coming off after demoralising losses to give their respective teams a fresh clean start. And while Goa failed to provide the same, Pune latched onto the opportunity to give its flagging spirits a boost and a huge impetus of sorts. On the other hand Kerala which had a lacklustre campaign so far too managed to snitch a point from Kolkata on their home turf after making them sweat it out on the field.
While they didn't win, but the fact that they drew against the league leaders would be a huge confidence booster in itself. So both Pune and Kerala find themselves at similar crossroads, the only question being who will walk away at the end of the game with a win.
Will Kerala get their first elusive win, or will Pune continue building on the momentum from its previous win is what both teams will be trying to answer at the stadium today.
Kick-Off and Venue
Kick off: October 30 – 7:00 PM (IST)
Venue: Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi
Possible Line-ups
Kerala Blasters (4-4-2): James, Nirmal, Gurwinder, Hengbart, Jhingan, Romey, Mehtab, Orji, Pearson, Hume, Milagres
Kerala will be looking to continue the same line-up from its previous game against Atletico de Kolkata. The 4-4-2 formation has worked in the favour of the team, with a solid defence and mid-field being the strongest points of the team. In the previous game, while Kolkata showcased their skills on the pitch and even took the lead, Kerala pressed on not just to equalise but to dominate proceedings in the latter stages of the game. It is unlikely that the team will be looking to make any drastic changes in the line-up for the game against Pune.
Also given that they are still looking for that elusive win, rather than going all out to create a full fledged attack, they will be looking to compact and close down any chances that FC Pune City might want to make and then replying with fast paced counter attacks.
FC Pune City (4-4-2): Belardi, Sarkar, Ravanan, Magliocchetti, Cirillo, Mehta, Gurung, Katsouranis, Rodrigues, Bolado, Trezeguet
The FC Pune City line up too looks like it will continue from the previous game and bring the same formation with four players making up the defence and mid-field each. Playing two strikers up front gives them the ability to launch attacks from both the wings, and with Gurung particularly dangerous on the left and Mehta on the right it looks like the team will want to exploit chances down the two wings. Of course there are Rodrigues and Katsouranis in the central mid-field to not just play the ball ahead but also to score.
The four man defence just reiterates how Coach Franco Colomba will not be looking to take any chances and leave the defence exposed in any which way. This is a good thing because the defence which had looked shaky in the first two games is slowly coming of age for the team. He would not want to try anything outlandish this time around given how desperately Kerala will be hunting for a win on Pune's home turf.
Pune's squad at the moment looks compact and assured of themselves. Besides with the home fans cheering them on, they will be looking to repeat their previous performance again, this time around.
Key facts
Kerala Blasters are at the bottom of the table with one point from three games. Pune on the other hand are fifth in the table with four points from three games.
It will be a back-to-back home game for Pune at the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex.
Kerala's David James will be looking to keep a clean sheet against the likes of David Trezeguet up in the front.
Key Players
Emanuele Belardi — The Italian keeper has been impressing one and all in the goal and will be looking to repeat his rock solid performance from the previous game.
David Trezeguet — Pune's marquee player too has gotten a taste for scoring goals. He will be hoping to improve on the record.
David James — Goalkeeper and team manager, the former England number one, will be looking to give his team the much needed first win and give them the mental advantage of jumping up spots in the table and relinquish the bottom position
The home stadium advantage — Pune cashed in on the previous game and the home turf advantage. Not only was there a crowd to cheer them on, but also the pitch played well, despite the rough patches in places.
Prediction
Pune looks to be a compact side. Kerala on the other hand look eager to prove a point. It will not be an easy task on the pitch for Coach Franco Colomba's Pune side to subdue the blasters. Even then a tight performance on the pitch in sync with the previous game, will enable them to pull off a victory.
We predict that Kerala will draw first blood but will fail to capitalise on the momentum built and Pune clawing in from a goal deficit to edge the scoreline.
FC Pune City 2-1 Kerela Blasters
