Matchday 26 of the 2015 Hero Indian Super League (ISL) will see Kerala Blasters FC host Chennaiyin FC in an all-southern affair at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. Kerala will be itching to reignite their campaign under caretaker coach Trevor Morgan after four successive losses see them occupy the bottom of the table. The Blasters take on a Chennaiyin FC side high on confidence, having won three of their last four matches after a slow start to their season. Both teams head into Saturday’s match sitting outside the top 4. Chennai currently occupy the fifth spot with nine points.Kerala Blasters FC so far: W-D-L-L-L-LChennaiyin FC so far: L-L-W-W-L-WHead-to-Head: Chennaiyin FC won both encounters against Kerala Blasters FC last season with an aggregate score of 3-1.Sandesh Jhingan vs Stiven MendozaSandesh Jhingan will be desperate to get back to winning ways and repeat his Season 1 heroics that saw him win the ISL’s Emerging Player of the Season. The 22-year-old has been ever present in the Kerala backline ever since returning from national duty. Comfortable in attack, Jhingan has taken five shots on goal and has put in two crosses into the danger area this year.A danger man in the truest sense of the term, Stiven Mendoza has taken Season 2 of the Hero ISL by storm. His electrifying pace and clinical finishing have already seen him find the back of the net six times this season, making him a definite contender for this year’s Golden Boot. The Colombian’s ability to create chances for team-mates is another important factor in Chennai’s quest for the prestigious Hero ISL trophy.Mehtab Hossain vs Raphael AugustoAn absolute workhorse in the centre of midfield, Mehtab Hossain’s dynamic and energetic style of play will be key to getting their campaign up and running. Hossain’s passing accuracy of 86% is second only to skipper Peter Ramage in the team. Known for crunching tackles, Hossain is one of the first names on the team-sheet.Raphael Augusto has become imperative to Chennai’s cause in Season 2 of the Hero ISL by providing a commanding and dominant presence to the Super Machans midfield. Augusto’s delightful range of passes makes the Chennaiyin FC midfield tick. The Brazilian is also more than capable in attack and has had five shots at goal so far.Mohammed Rafi vs Bernard MendyMohammed Rafi has been in scintillating form for Kerala Blasters FC this season. The Indian target man has scored on four occasions in just three outings for the men in yellow this season. A nightmare for defenders in the penalty area, Rafi has headed in most of his goals this year. Certain to start up front for the Blasters on Saturday, he will be desperate to get on the scoresheet once again and extend his brilliant scoring run.Bernard Mendy hasn’t missed a beat since Season 1 and has looked just as solid marshalling the Chennai backline this season. Immortalized with his stupendous over-head kick last year, Mendy is back among the goals this season too. His passing accuracy of 84% also makes him an able distributor of the ball.It promises to be a passionate and action-packed Super Saturday as the Hero ISL will witness its first southern derby of Season 2. Both sides will be gunning for a win with a lot of ground to make on the rest of the competition. Kerala’s caretaker coach will be hoping that the big home support does the trick for them. Marco Materazzi, on the other hand, will be hoping that his team and especially the dynamic duo of Elano and Mendoza play to their potential, knowing fully well that a win on Saturday will put them into the Top 4.Quotes:Kerala is good team with good players and we are ready for the match tomorrow. They've got good support and spectators, we've prepared ourselves like we do with any away game and we're expecting a fresh match: Chennaiyin assistant coach Vivek NagulIn football, I believe we just a result away from finding our form. I can't say there is any lack of confidence or anything of that sort because the players are training really well: Kerala caretaker coach Trevor MorganSquads:Kerala Blasters FC: Stephen Bywater, Rahul Shankar Bheke, Ramandeep Singh, Peter Ramage, Carlos Marchena (Marquee Player), Cavin Lobo, Joao Coimbra, Chris Dagnall, Mohd Rafi, Ishfaq Ahmed, Shankar S, CK Vineeth, Mehtab Hossain, Sandesh Jhingan, Gurwinder Singh, Manandeep Singh, Sanchez Watt, Antonio German, Bruno Perone, Sandip Nandy, Saumik Dey, Marcus Williams, Peter Carvalho, Victor Herrero Forcada, Josu Currias, Shilton PaulChennaiyin FC: Karanjit Singh, Nidhin Lal, Apoula Edel Bete, Éder Monteiro Fernandes, Justin Stephen, Bernard Mendy, Abhishek Das, Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte, L. Dhanachandra Singh, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Mailson Alves, Alessandro Potenza, Dhanpal Ganesh, Elano Blumer (marquee player), Godwin Franco, Thoi Singh, Harmanjot Khabra, Raphael Augusto, Bruno Augusto Pelissari de Lima, Zakeer Mundampara, Manuele Blasi, Fikru Teferra Lamessa, Jayesh Rane, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Balwant Singh, John Stiven Mendoza Valencia
