Kerala Blasters FC welcome defending champions Chennaiyin FC in the second south Indian derby of Hero Indian Super League 2016 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Saturday. The Blasters currently have 12 points from nine games and can move up the table into the top-4 with a win in front of passionate home support tomorrow, and Steve Coppell’s men seem to be on the right track as they won their last match 2-1 against FC Goa. Meanwhile, Chennaiyin FC will look to move on from their demoralising 4-1 defeat to Delhi Dynamos FC in their last match. With 10 points from eight matches, they could also break into the top-4 with a victory tomorrow. It’s that stage of the league when no team can’t afford to be complacent. Both Kerala and Chennai will be under additional pressure in view of their goalless draw earlier in the season.

Head-to-head: In Hero ISL 2014, Chennaiyin won 2-1 and 1-0 in the league phase. Kerala struck back winning the first leg of the semis 3-0 but Chennaiyin avenged themselves with a 3-1 win in the second leg. However, it wasn’t enough to take them into the final. In Hero ISL 2015, the Blasters held the Super Machans 1-1 at home but were thumped 4-1 away. Earlier this season, both teams played out a 0-0 draw.

Form Guide (last five matches):

Kerala Blasters FC: D-W-D-L-W

Chennaiyin FC: W-D-D-D-L

Sandesh Jhingan vs Jeje Lalpekhlua

Sandesh Jhingan has been a key man for Kerala Blasters FC this season. Having featured in every minute of Kerala’s campaign, the 23-year-old defender has kept things tidy at the back. Quick on his feet, Jhingan is also a threat in set-pieces with his aerial skills. He has already won one Hero-of-the-Match award and will look to get another on Saturday.

Star striker Jeje Lalpekhlua has been the go-to man for Chennaiyin this season. He has come off the bench a few times and enlivened things for the Super Machans on the pitch. A total team man, Lalpekhlua can also provide the key passes which can pull his team ahead.

CK Vineeth vs Hans Mulder

CK Vineeth made an immediate impact on the Blasters’ campaign after returning from participation in the AFC Cup with Bengaluru FC. He came off the bench to score the late winner in Kerala’s last game against FC Goa, thus showcasing his effectiveness in tense scenarios. The local boy will likely start tomorrow amid raised expectations.

Hans Mulder has been the midfield general for the Super Machans. He looks a threat every time he has the ball at his feet. Besides ball-snatching, he can also build up attacks and get the goals. He has had a few quiet matches of late but now is the time that he ups the ante. His team needs that desperately.

Kervens Belfort vs John Arne Riise

Kervens Belfort, in his debut ISL season, has shown a lot of promise. The Haitian international has pace and is a towering presence in the box, which automatically makes him an aerial threat during set-pieces. The striker also has the ability to turn provider for his side.

John Arne Riise is one no-nonsense player you would always want in your team. A serial passer of the ball, he is equally good at holding onto it if the situation demands. The Norwegian also can also move forward and unleash a few powerful shots at the goal. He could prove to be the difference on Saturday.

Squads:

Kerala Blasters FC: Graham Stack, Sandip Nandy, Kunal Sawant, Aaron Hughes, Cedric Hengbart, Sandesh Jhingan, Gurwinder Singh, Pratik Chaudhary, Elhadji Ndoye, Josu Currais, Didier Boris Kadio, Azrack Mahamat, Mehtab Hossain, Mohammed Rafique, Ishfaq Ahmed, Vinit Rai, Michael Chopra, Antonio German, Kervens Belfort, Duckens Nazon, Mohammed Rafi, Thongkhosiem Haokip, Farukh Chaudhary, CK Vineeth and Rino Anto

Chennaiyin FC: Karanjit Singh, Pawan Kumar, Duwayne Kerr, Bernard Mendy, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Eli Sabia, Eder Monterio, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Abhishek Das, John Arne Riise, Baljit Sahni, Hans Mulder, Manuele Blasi, Thoi Singh, Raphael Augusto, Harmanjot Singh Khabra, Davide Succi, Maurizio Peluso, Bedashwor Singh, Uttam Rai, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Zakeer Mundampara, Anrirudh Thapa