Chennaiyin FC take on Kerala Blasters in first home match

CHENNAI: Chennaiyin FC will look to consolidate their position in the points table while Kerala Blasters FC will be seeking to open their account when they take on each other in a Indian Super League fixture here tomorrow.

Chennaiyin FC had started their campaign with a win over FC Goa while Kerala Blasters FC went down to Northeast United FC in their tournament opener away for home.

The hosts are placed fourth on the standings while the visiting side is struggling at the bottom of the heap.

The Chennai outfit, who prevailed over FC Goa 1-2 in their opening match in a pulsating encounter away from home, will be a tough nut to crack.

And the home support at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will only strengthen their morale, which is already on a high after collecting full points at the start.

While they may have lost Swedish midfielder Pierre Tillman and Spanish striker Eduardo Silva Lerma due to contractual issues, Chennai have found able replacements in Cameroonian medio Eric Djemba Djemba and Haitian forward Jean-Eudes Maurice.

Djemba Djemba is a former Manchester United player and was last plying his trade for Scottish Premiership club St Mirren. The 33-year-old midfielder has represented Cameroon 24 times at the senior international level including the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Maurice is a former Paris Saint Germain player and has also featured for Lens and Le Mans in the French top tier.

Besides, they have marquee player Elano in their ranks, and Balwant Singh, who became the first Indian player to score in the inaugural ISL, will look to impress further.