NorthEast United FC play host to Kerala Blasters FC on Matchday 38 of Hero Indian Super League 2015 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday. The Highlanders come into this game having taken seven points from their last three matches and are one of the form teams of the league at the moment. Kerala Blasters FC, on the other hand, will be looking to make amends after their last encounter where they came out on the wrong end of a 3-2 score-line in what was a thrilling match against reigning champions Atlético de Kolkata. NorthEast presently occupy the fifth position in the league standings while Kerala prop up the table.Form Guide (Last 5 matches):Kerala Blasters FC: L-L-D-W-LNorthEast United FC: W-L-D-W-WHead-to-Head: NorthEast United FC won their home fixture against Kerala Blasters FC last season and drew away at Kochi. Kerala though managed to get the better of the Highlanders by a 3-1 scoreline earlier this season.Andre Bikey vs Chris DagnallAndre Bikey has featured in every game for the Highlanders since replacing the injured Miguel Garcia. The Cameroonian centre-back has been a dominating presence in the Highlanders outfit and it is no coincidence that NorthEast have improved a lot defensively ever since the inclusion of the no-nonsense centre-back to their side.Chris Dagnall has become imperative to his side’s cause of late after a somewhat slow start to Hero ISL 2015. The Englishman has made two assists and scored thrice for his side in eight appearances for the Blasters. His form for the remainder of the league is likely to have a major say in Kerala’s qualification chances to the semi-finals.Silas vs Mehtab HossainSilas’ experience in the centre of the park brings the Highlanders plenty of assurance. The veteran Portuguese midfield-general has made one assist and it was his goal against Chennaiyin FC in the last match that proved to be the difference.Mehtab Hossain has been one of the mainstays in Kerala’s starting XI this season. Hossain’s ability to break up play and sniff out danger make him one of the first names on the Kerala team sheet. He has made 20 clearances and completed more tackles than any other Blaster this season (49). His passing accuracy of 86% also bears testimony to his ball retention skills.Diomansy Kamara vs Peter RamageAfter a slow start, the veteran Frenchman has at last burst into life in his side’s last few games. He has completed two assists for NorthEast so far and also got their first goal against Chennaiyin FC in the Highlanders’ last outing.Peter Ramage can expected to have a busy day at work with the likes of Nicolas Velez, Francis Dadzie, Simao and Kamara in NorthEast’s attacking line. Ramage has been solid at the back for the men in yellow this season. His ability to foresee danger has seen him make an astounding 112 clearances for the Blasters this season.Squads:NorthEast United FC: Aiborlang Khongjee, Robin Gurung, Boithang Haokip, Alen Deory, Rehenesh Thumbirumbu Paramba, Sanju Pradhan, Hali Charan Narzary, Seityasen Singh, Lalthuammawia Ralte, Siam Hanghal, Raju Yumnam, Reagan Singh , Marlangki Suting, Zohmingliana Ralte, Kondwani Mtonga, Andre Bikey, Gennaro Bracigliano, Simao Pedro Da Fonseca Sabrosa (Marquee Player), Bruno Herrero Arias, Diomansy Mehdi Moustapha Kamara, Jorge Manuel Rebelo Fernandes, Cedric Alain Hervine Hengbart, Nicolas Leandro Velez, Francis Dadzie, Victor Mendy.Kerala Blasters FC: Stephen Bywater, Rahul Shankar Bheke, Ramandeep Singh, Peter Ramage, Cavin Lobo, Joao Coimbra, Chris Dagnall, Mohd Rafi, Ishfaq Ahmed, Shankar S, CK Vineeth, Mehtab Hossain, Sandesh Jhingan, Deepak Kumar Mandal , Manandeep Singh, Sanchez Watt, Antonio German, Bruno Perone, Sandip Nandy, Saumik Dey, Marcus Williams, Peter Carvalho, Victor Herrero Forcada, Josu Currias, Shilton Paul
