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Kerala Blasters are ready to host the debutant franchise in their second back to back home game at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi. The yellow brigade will look to leave no stone unturned to register their first home victory while facing their former boss Steve Coppell at Jamshedpur FC’s helm.
Kerala and Jamshedpur are not just waiting for their first win in the Hero Indian Super League 2017 but also their first goal of the season. Both Kerala and Jamshedpur earlier played a goalless draw against ATK and NorthEast United FC respectively.
Jamshedpur's defence and goalkeeper showed a lot of character in their first game and nullified the ruthless attack of the Highlanders even when they were down to 10 men. On the other side, Kerala Blasters lacked conviction in their opening game. Despite fielding one of the best attacking units in the ISL 2017, they failed to create enough chances.
Let’s see what both sides have to offer in their second game of the ISL 2017.
Kerala Blasters FC
Kerala head coach Rene Meulensteen surely needs to make some changes to the side while facing one of the best defensive units in ISL 2017. He will definitely have to think about Berbatov’s role in the side, who failed to make any impact in the first game. He can definitely look to try the young Dutch striker Mark Sifneos, who impressed with his cameo during in their first game.
Kerala will look to start with 4-2-3-1, which can easily be changed into 4-3-3 with Pekuson shifting back alongside Arata Izumi and Milan Singh. CK Vineeth and Pekuson will have to provide much-needed support to Hume, which was missing in their previous game and which resulted in Hume not attempting a single shot. However, they will still have to work on their passing especially in the attacking third.
Kerala Blasters FC Starting XI (4-4-2): Paul Rachubka, Anto, Jhingan, Pesic, Lalruatthara, Milan Singh, Courage Pekuson, CK Vineeth, Sifneos, Hume
Jamshedpur FC
Jamshedpur boss and former head coach of the Blasters Steve Coppell will be coming back to Kochi as a visitor this time around. Coppell has many reasons to be proud of their defensive work in the first game, but still has a lot to think about while taking on the well-built defence of the Kerala Blasters.
On his return to Kochi, we are expecting another return of former Kerala striker Kervens Belfort to play his first ISL 2017 game tonight. He will definitely return in place of midfielder Memo, which means Coppell shifting back to the traditional 4-4-2 formation.
Jamshedpur FC Starting XI (4-4-2): Paul, Souvik, Tiri, Anas, Shouvik, Doutie, Trindade, Mehtab, Jerry, Belfort, Azuka.
Prediction:
Kerala Blasters FC 1-0 NorthEast United FC
With two defensive teams taking on each other, the attack-heavy Kerala Blasters will have the edge to take home all three points. To score more than one goal, Kerala Blasters will definitely have to show some great quality passing in midfield.
