Hero Indian Super League 2015 enters its second phase with Kerala Blasters FC hosting FC Pune City at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Wednesday. FC Pune City will looking to maintain their brilliant early season form that has seen them win four, lose two and draw one of their opening seven fixtures. Kerala Blasters FC, on the other hand, will hoping to turn around their campaign and finish strongly, having won just one of their seven fixtures so far. The home side currently sit rock bottom of the league table and will be desperate for a win. It will also be Kerala Blasters FC’s new head coach Terry Phelan’s first game in charge for the yellow army.Kerala Blasters FC so far: W-D-L-L-L-L-DFC Pune City so far: W-W-L-W-L-W-DHead-to-Head: Pune lost both their matches against Kerala last season by an aggregate score of 3-1. However, the Stallions did beat Kerala in an entertaining match earlier this season by 3 goals to 2.Chris Dagnall vs Roger JohnsonChris Dagnall has slowly but surely been finding his feet. The Englishman’s work-rate is pivotal to his side’s pressing game as they look to recover the ball high up the pitch or in the opposition half. Dagnall’s goal in the last game helped the Blasters earn a point. Capable of creating chances, the 29-year-old has also provided an assist for his team this year.Roger Johnson has been a towering presence at the back for the Stallions this season. A no-nonsense centre-back that thrives in physical battles at the heart of defence, Johnson’s spectacular goal-line clearance in Pune’s last game helped his side earn a hard-fought draw away in Goa. The 32-year-old centre-back has also made more clearances than any other Pune player after seven games (60).Bruno Perone vs Eugeneson LyngdohAn integral figure in midfield for Kerala, Bruno Perone’s guile and composure on the ball has been instrumental in the yellow army unlocking opposition defences. The 28-year-old Brazilian offers the southern-outfit a dominating and physical force capable of muscling the midfield. His intelligent play has seen him break up numerous attacks thus far. Perone’s 13 tackles and five interceptions have come in crucial moments to keep his side in the game.Eugeneson Lyngdoh, who was captured by FC Pune City for Rs 1.05 crore in the Hero ISL auction, has justified his hefty price tag. The dynamic midfielder’s box-to-box style of play is suitable to the Stallions’ style of play. Lyngdoh has made two assists for his side this season and also has a goal to his credit after a perfectly-placed header against Goa saw him open his Hero ISL account.Peter Ramage vs Kalu UchePeter Ramage is one of only three Kerala Blasters FC players to have featured in every minute of their campaign after seven games. The English centre-back has jotted up a staggering 80 clearances for his side – the most by any player in the yellow of Kerala. Ramage also provides an added threat from set-pieces and has completed an assist for Kerala this year.Kalu Uche’s four goals for Pune this season have seen him leapfrog the likes of Tuncay Sanli and marquee player Adrian Mutu in the pecking order. Uche’s ability to test keepers more often than not makes him a constant threat for the defences. His understanding with Nicky Shorey has proved to be valuable this season. Two out of Uche’s four goals have come from Shorey’s assists this season.The home side will be hoping their fanatic local support will act as the twelfth man once again in what is going to be a do-or-die fixture for the Blasters. Players like Mohammed Rafi, Sanchez Watt and CK Vineeth, who has made two assists this year, will have to have a good game if Kerala are going to turn around their season. FC Pune City, on the other hand, will be looking to win and maintain their stranglehold.Quotes:Yes, we have conceded goals and players have been switching off. We have to build confidence in the players so that they don't make such mistakes me and Trevor [Morgan] have been working on that: Kerala head coach Terry PhelanSee, positions of the teams are irrelevant...It's going to be a difficult game whichever way you look at it: Pune head coach David PlattSquads: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 PaulFC Pune City: Kalu Uche, Adrian Mutu (Marquee Player), Yendrick Ruiz, Wesley Verhoek, Tuncay Sanli, Didier Zokora, James Bailey, Jackichand Singh, Fanai Lalrempuia, Sushanth Mathew, Manish Maithani, Bikash Jairu, Israil Gurung, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Lenny Rodrigues, Diego Colotto, Roger Johnson, Nicky Shorey, Govin Singh, Gourmangi Singh, Gurjinder Kumar, Pritam Kotal, Dharmaraj Ravanan, Steve Simonsen, Lalit Thapa, Arindam Bhattacharya
