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[caption id="attachment_24313" align="alignnone" width="873"] Kerala looking for first points of the season against high-flying Delhi | Image : ISL[/caption] Internet Desk : Kerala Blasters FC will be hoping to secure their first points of Hero Indian Super League 2016 when they host Delhi Dynamos FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Sunday. The Blasters will be desperate for a win after back-to-back 1-0 losses against NorthEast United FC and Atlético de Kolkata. They will come up against a strong Delhi Dynamos FC unit, which brushed aside defending champions Chennaiyin FC 3-1 in their opening fixture of the season without including the likes of Bruno Pelissari and marquee player Florent Malouda in the starting line-up.

Head-to-head

The Blasters have faced the Lions four times in two seasons with both sides registering a win apiece. Kerala scraped a 1-0 win against Delhi in the capital city in Hero ISL 2014, and the Dynamos returned the favour by the same score-line in Kochi during Hero ISL 2015. The inaugural season of the Hero ISL also saw them play out a 0-0 draw, while a 3-3 tie in Delhi made for a pulsating encounter the last time these two sides met.

Key Battles

Cedric Hengbart vs Marcelinho - Arguably the best player on the pitch during their first two matches of the season, Cedric Hengbart will require some assistance from the rest of his backline if the Blasters want to pull off an upset against a Delhi side that is high on confidence. The veteran Frenchman has been an inspiration at the back for Kerala this season making eight clearances, four interceptions and four blocks as well as boasting an impressive passing accuracy of 81%. Brazilian attacker Marcelinho has become an instant hit with the Dynamos faithful after a superb debut against reigning champions Chennaiyin FC that saw him bag a brace. Primarily a winger, Marcelinho was often the furthest man forward for the Lions against Chennai. His movement, pace and penetration proved to be too much for the Super Machans backline to deal with. The 29-year-old was adjudged the Hero of the Match and will pose a huge threat again on Sunday evening. Elhadji Ndoye vs Milan Singh - Elhadji Ndoye and Mehtab Hossain can be expected to have their hands full on Sunday as they look to thwart the numerous attacking options that Delhi possess. The Senegalese defensive midfielder will have to protect his backline and break down attacks if Kerala hope to take something from the game. He offers the Blasters an energetic presence in midfield and is comfortable in possession as his passing accuracy of 90% suggests. Milan Singh was an absolute livewire for Delhi in their season opener and played an integral role in the first goal of the game after being brought down by Duwayne Kerr in the 18-yard box to earn his side a penalty. The 24-year-old completed one take-on, two clearances, 28 passes, and was at heart of most Delhi attacks against Chennai. Antonio German vs Ruben Rocha - Antonio German will have to raise his game and lead from the front. The English forward has made a slow start to the season after his Hero ISL 2015 exploits that saw him score six times, while also providing three assists. His performance in the second outing of the season against ATK was a big improvement on what he did against NorthEast United FC. However, his side needs more from him. Steve Coppell and the Blasters will be hoping he puts on his scoring boots sooner rather than later. Ruben Rocha will have the added responsibility of organising Delhi's backline as Anas Edathodika is a major doubt due to injury. The veteran centre-back completed one tackle, two interceptions and three clearances for the Lions in their last outing. He also brings a formidable presence to Delhi in aerial duels as his 67% success rate while competing for headers suggests.

Squads

Kerala Blasters FC: Graham Stack, Sandip Nandy, Kunal Sawant, Mohammad Ansari, Aaron Hughes, Cedric Hengbart, Sandesh Jhingan, Gurwinder Singh, Pratik Chaudhary, Elhadji Ndoye, Josu Currais, 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, Prasanth Karuthadathkuni Delhi Dynamos FC: Antonio Doblas Santana, Sanjiban Ghosh, Soram Poirei, Ruben Gonzalez Rocha, David Addy, Ibrahima Niasse, Anas Edathodika, Chinglesana Konsham Singh, Lalchhawnkima, Lalruatthara, Rupert Nongrum, Souvik Chakraborty, Florent Malouda, Bruno Augusto Pelissari de Lima, Marcos Tebar, Emerson Gomes de Moura, Denson Devadas, Milan Singh, Malsawmzuala, Richard Gadze, Badara Badji, Arjun Tudu, Marcelo Leite Pereira, Kean Lewis, Amoes Do