Kerala Blasters FC welcome Atlético de Kolkata in the final of Hero Indian Super League 2016 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Sunday evening. The two teams are in familiar territory as they lace up for an encore of the 2014 final. ATK got the better of Kerala in that game but the latter will be eager to avenge that loss and what better way to do it than lifting the trophy in front of their passionate supporters tomorrow. Kerala have been on a roll in Kochi having won their last six matches there but the fact that their only loss at the venue this season came against Kolkata is also certain to prey on their minds. The Blasters will be without their influential player Josu Currais after the Spaniard picked up an automatic suspension due to yellow card accumulation.

Kolkata, on the other hand, head into the game having lost just two games all season. They showed their attacking prowess in the first leg of their semi-final at home against Mumbai to win 3-2 against the best defence in the league. The second leg saw them pull off a defensive masterclass as they held Mumbai’s potent attacking line to a 0-0 draw. ATK will be without defender Robert Lalthlamuana and forward Juan Belencoso owing to suspensions. Plenty of sub-plots will also be on show on Sunday since the player who scored the winner for Kolkata in the 2014 final, Mohammed Rafique is now playing for Kerala, while the Blasters’ top scorer from that season, Iain Hume is now donning Kolkata colours.

Head-to-Head: The inaugural season of the Hero ISL saw the teams play out a 1-1 draw in Kolkata before the Blasters pipped ATK 2-1 in Kochi. The two teams met again in the final of the league that year, which Kolkata won 1-0 to become champions. Hero ISL 2015 witnessed Kolkata do the double over Kerala with them winning 2-1 at home and 3-2 away. This season, ATK edged past the Blasters 1-0 in Kochi before the teams played out a 1-1 draw in Kolkata.

Form Guide (last five matches):

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

Atlético de Kolkata: W-D-D-W-D

Cedric Hengbart vs Iain Hume

Cedric Hengbart has been one of the most influential players for Kerala this season. The 36-year-old has been a pillar in the backline and has displayed rock-solid performances throughout, making crucial tackles and interceptions. With one goal and three assists, the tall centre-back has proved that he is also an attacking threat. Be that as it may, he will have to be fully focused on the biggest stage of them all as he comes up against a formidable Kolkata attacking line.

Iain Hume has shown sublime form for Atlético de Kolkata this season. The 33-year-old, with seven goals, is the second highest scorer in the league this season. His performances this year are a major factor in Kolkata reaching the final. The Canadian striker scored a brace in ATK’s home leg in the semi-finals and that helped smooth their passage to a second final in three years. He will certainly be looking to make his presence felt against his former side.

CK Vineeth vs Javi Lara

Undoubtedly Kerala’s player of the season, 28-year-old CK Vineeth has scored five times for his team besides also notching up an assist. The playmaker has been quick to grab opportunities and has been very influential on the wings for the men in yellow. He is quick and has shown great finishing skills this season. Kerala’s local boy is also the highest scoring Indian in the league this season and will be hungry to get his name on the scoresheet in the final.

Javi Lara has been Kolkata’s midfield maestro this season, pulling the strings from the centre of the park. The 31-year-old Spaniard always creates a lot of chances for his team, with his precise passing and exquisite set-piece deliveries. He also has three goals to his credit this season, and has been constantly involved in attack. The midfielder will have to be on top of his game if Kolkata are to lift their second ISL trophy on Sunday.

Duckens Nazon vs Tiri

Kerala forward Duckens Nazon has been in the thick of things for his team. He may have scored just twice in 12 appearances but the Haitian has created a host of opportunities for his team this year. Strong and pacey, he has always been a nuisance for opposition defenders with his runs into the box and sharp movement. He scored Kerala’s all important goal in the second leg of their semi-finals against Delhi, and it won’t come a surprise if he is on the scoresheet in the final again.

Centre-back Tiri has been sound in defence for ATK this year. The 25-year-old is quick and decisive in making tackles and reads the ball well besides putting in vital interceptions. His rock-solid presence at the back has helped ATK’s cause a great deal this season. Good at playing out from the back, the Spaniard has stood firm in ATK’s backline this year. However, away to a dangerous Kerala forward line in the final, he will need to be at the peak of his powers if Kolkata are to keep the Blasters at bay.

Squads:

Kerala Blasters FC: Graham Stack, Sandip Nandy, Kunal Sawant, Aaron Hughes, Cedric Hengbart, Sandesh Jhingan, Gurwinder Singh, Pratik Chaudhary, Elhadji Ndoye, 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, Rino Anto

Atlético de Kolkata: Debjit Majumder, Dani Mallo, Shilton Paul, Arnab Mondal, Henrique Fonseca Sereno, Jose Arroyo, Keegan Pereira, Kinshuk Debnath, Prabir Das, Pritam Kotal, Abinash Ruidas, Bidyananda Singh, Bikash Jairu, Bikramjit Singh, Borja Fernandez, Javi Lara, Jewel Raja, Lalrindika Ralte, Ofentse Nato, Sameehg Doutie, Stephen Pearson, Helder Postiga, Iain Hume