Pune City welcome the Kerala Blasters to the Balewadi Stadium with both teams in a spot of bother despite the latter drawing one and winning the other of its last two matches.
The Stallions' manager Antonio Habas will miss this game, the last of his four match touchline ban with Miguel deputising for his fellow Spaniard.
They looked clueless in their last match despite being a man up for 35 minutes of their game against NorthEast United, who snatched a win after Eduardo Ferreira was sent off for Pune. Ferreira maybe replaced by Augustin Fernandes, who will partner Gouramangi Singh at centre-back.
Anibal Zurdo was ineffective in his last outing and Jesus Tato should return to the sole striker's position in the absence of the Mexican. Arata Izumi should return to the line-up as should Narayan Das after Zodingliana Ralte's horror show in their last match.
The Blasters got their first win and a much needed three points in their last game against Mumbai City. Fatigue will be a factor for the Blasters already playing their fifth game of the season.
But they will be thankful that ex-Newcastle striker Michael Chopra scored the Blasters' first goal after 328 minutes without a goal.
Steve Coppell may keep the faith in the same eleven that brought him victory with Mohammed Rafi, Kervens Belfort, Michael Chopra and Mohamed Rafique operating in a front four. Sandesh Jhingan will once again be played at right-back as captain Aaron Hughes and Cedric Hengbart playing in the middle of the defence.
Match Facts
Venue: The Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium, popularly known as the Balewadi Stadium.
Capacity: 11,900
Time: 7 pm IST
Last meeting: Kerala Blasters 2 - 0 FC Pune City, November 4, 2015, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi
Head-to-head: Matches played: 4. Kerala wins: 3, Pune wins: 1, Draws: 0
Key Battles
Jesus Tato vs Cedric Hengbart: The 33-year old ex-La Masia graduate will look to break down the Kerala defence and should be entrusted with the responsibility of being sole striker up front. Tato is one of the few Pune players who has looked lively in front of goal and will look to trouble the Kerala defence.
The Frenchman in Kerala's back four has been the Blasters' best player this season, keeping things tight at the back. With marquee Aaron Hughes next to him, he will look to shut up shop for the Pune strikeforce.
Michael Chopra vs Gouramangi Singh: Chopra will be delighted at notching up his first goal this season and will be the main threat from the Stallions' point-of-view come gametime. The 35-year old will face up against Gouramangi, in the absence of the suspended Ferreira.
Singh will have to step up as the leader of the defence as Ferreira was shown a second yellow in the last match. Pune's defence was breached time and again as their full-backs were ineffective in containing the NorthEast attackers, and Singh will have to be on top to ensure that Pune come out of this encounter with a point at the very least.
Squads:
FC Pune City: Edel Bete; Narayan Das, Augustine Fernandes, Dharmaraj Ravanan, Gouramangi Singh; Arata Izumi, Jonathan Lucca, Momar Ndoye, Mohamed Sissoko, Gustavo Oberman, Jesus Rodriguez Tato
Kerala Blasters FC: Sandip Nandy; Aaron Hughes, Cedric Hengbart, Sandesh Jhingan, Josu Currais; Azrack Mahamat, Mehtab Hossain, Mohammed Rafique, Michael Chopra, Kervens Belfort; Mohammed Rafi
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!