Had Delhi Dynamos taken their chances and been slightly more astute at the back, they would have easily taken the top spot in the Indian Super League. However, they remain a work in progress, as coach Gianluca Zambrotta settles into the league.
At the back, the Dynamos have not given much away and Anas Edathodika has yet again been terrific. It is up front where Zambrotta has struggled to find the right combination, but he has been rotating his frontmen well to keep them fresh. The Dynamos lack a genuine goalscorer and going into the business end of the tournament, it could be a genuine problem. The game against FC Pune City is a case in point. They had eight shots on goal, but still ended up only with a point.
In their previous encounter, it was Zambrotta's substitutions that did the trick for Delhi. He introduced his best attacker, Marcelinho, and the impressive Kean Lewis, and both played a part in the team's victory. The Brazilian forward scored an exceptional goal.
Kerala Blasters haven't been tested much away from home so far but their recent form has shot a new wave of optimism in the team after slumping to the bottom at the start of the season. The two teams have already played a game so far and it happened to be the one where the Blasters took their first point of the season. That gave them the belief to go toe-to-toe with the rest.
Steve Coppell's side is unbeaten in the last five games, which has included two wins and seemed to have settled in on a decent spine. However, there are question marks over the 2014 finalists relying maybe a tad too much on English striker Michael Chopra.
Chopra's supporting cast, Duckens Nazon and Mohammed Rafi have stepped up during this good run of form that the Blasters are currently enjoying and scored crucial goals too. Among the two sides, it is Marcelinho who can turn the game around through sheer skills alone. The Blasters, though, are a much fresher outfit. Dynamos still have a slight edge, and it is because of the personnel who can come on from the bench and change the course of the game.
Match Facts
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi
Capacity: 60,000
Time: 7 pm IST
Last meeting: November 9th 2016, Kerala Blasters 0-0 Delhi Dynamos
Head-to-head: Matches: 5, Kerala wins 1, Delhi wins: 1
Key Battles
Michael Chopra vs Anas Edathodika
On his day, the Dynamos defender can be a menace to every attacker. Take his goal-line clearance in the previous game for instance: It is not something that too many Indian defenders can execute with precision. Against a roving striker with a stocky presence up front, Anas will be relishing this challenge.
For Chopra, winning or losing this battle will be down to how well he can make his trademark clever run and bring his fellow forwards into the game. He would have to be at the top of his game, though.
Marcelinho vs Sandesh Jhingan
Jhingan, like Anas, is an all-action defender and can play across the backline. It is uncertain if the Indian international will be deployed as a centre-back or as a full-back but a lot rides on the Blasters keeping Marcelinho quiet. Just like Chopra, the Brazilian makes space and his nimble feet has left many defenders on the floor.
If Marcelinho gets even the slightest bit of space, he will carry the ball and try to have a shot but he will have his task cut out with the Blasters forming a formidable backline through Jhingan, Cedric Hengbart, skipper Aaron Hughes and Josu.
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