Kerala Blasters got their first win of ISL 2016 last week and the confidence in their camp is high. But will they be able to maintain a consistency now? That remains to be seen. Post the cheer brought in for the Kerala fans via Michael Chopra, Kerala Blasters go into their fifth game of the season on Monday, when they take on FC Pune City at the Balewadi Stadium.
The Pune side, meanwhile, are second from bottom in the league at the moment with just a win over their last three games. Neither of the teams have been able to make that great a mark so far but a win for either will catapult one team to the top four in the table at the end of the match.
Antonio Habas will once again be missed at the bench for this particular game for FC Pune City, as his four-match suspension ends after Monday's game. For the home side, two key players are sidelined. While Indian winger Lenny Rodrigues misses out due to fever, defender Eduardo Ferreira is suspended for picking up a red card in the last match.
Steve Coppell's side however is injury less, giving them a major boost to go and try recording yet another win.
"We approach this game with the right attitude," mentioned Northern Ireland international and Kerala Blasters marquee player Aaron Hughes. "It's going to be a tough game. We are obviously playing away from home. We will continue to do what we did the other night - that is play to our strengths, do all the things we have been doing in training.
"And if we do them all right, I think we are giving ourselves a very good chance at a positive result."
The pressure is on Pune but staying confident even in adverse times, remains the key. "It's too early to conclude all this," said FC Pune defender Gouramangi Singh. :We could have done better, I could have done better and the whole team knows we could have done better but there is no doubt in us that we can do better and we go in the game against Kerala better prepared."
Schedule
FC Pune City vs Kerala Blasters is scheduled to kick off at 7 pm IST (2.30 pm BST) on October 17.
Where to watch live
India: TV - Star Sports 1/HD.
Star Gold, Star Utsav (Hindi).
Jalsha Movies (Bengali).
Asianet Movies (Malayalam).
Asianet Suvarna Plus (Kannada).
Live streaming - Hotstar.
Europe: TV - Star Gold.
Australia, USA: TV - Fox Sports
Canada: TV - CBN, ATN Bangla
Bangladesh: TV - Channel 9
South-East Asia: TV - Eurosport
