ISL 2018-19: Unbeaten Jamshedpur FC and Kerala Blasters FC lock horns

Two unbeaten sides will square up against each other when Jamshedpur FC host Kerala Blasters at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in the Hero Indian Super League here Monday.

The teams are yet to lose a game this season but have just a win to show for their efforts. While the home team have played out three successive draws after their win over Mumbai City in the opener, the visitors have been involved in two draws after winning their opener against ATK.

Kerala Blasters have played only three games so far but have not impressed since their 2-0 win over ATK in the season opener. Like their Monday's opponents, Kerala paid for their profligacy in the subsequent matches and conceded late equalisers.

Jamshedpur are expected to hog the ball against Kerala who will favour a more direct approach, staying true to their managers' nationalities.

SQUADS: While he will want the strikers to score more, maintaining the team's concentration levels throughout the 90 minutes will be high on coach David James' mind.

The Englishman has never gone in with a full quota of foreign players this season, instead opting to give youngsters like Mohammed Rakip and Sahal Abdul Samad opportunities. They have done well so far and the former England goalkeeper will be hoping their encouraging performances continue against Jamshedpur as well.

The good news for James is that Anas Edathodika is back in contention for a start after serving his three game suspension.

Jamshedpur FC, with a possession-based style of play, have dominated games but their failure to convert chances and a lack of accuracy in shooting has contributed to their plight.

The fact that star striker Tim Cahill is yet to attain complete match fitness could be an issue for coach Cesar Ferrando.

The Australian will play a part at some point against Kerala and the Men of Steel will look to him to provide some inspiration up front.

Defensively, they have looked good with Tiri marshalling the backline commendably. Mario Arques and Memo will be looking to dominate Kerala in midfield and set the tempo for Ferrando's side.

Youngster Mobashir Rahman is still injured for Jamshedpur and Ferrando will have to make do without him.

MANAGERS SPEAK: "Anas sitting next to me is available for once and it puts a different perspective on team selection. It makes the whole group much more competitive. As a coach, what you want is everybody fighting for a place," said James.

"In international leagues, there are 38 matches. But here (we have) 18 matches and so every game is like final. For me, tomorrow's match is a final," said Ferrando.

FORM: Jamshedpur began their Hero ISL 2018-19 campaign with an impressive away victory over Mumbai City FC and looked like one of the teams to look out for this season. The team followed it up with a commendable away draw against a strong Bengaluru FC side, but left a lot to be desired in the subsequent matches, notching up draws against ATK and NorthEast United FC. Jamshepdur have scored six goals in this tournament from 14 shots on target. They also have the passing accuracy of 73.55 per cent.

Despite having drawn their last two matches, Kerala have looked a solid unit so far, well-rounded in both attack and defence. All of Matej Poplatnik, CK Vineeth, Halicharan Narzary and Slavisla Stojanovic, have scored in this campaign. They have scored four goals from 15 shots on target till now. They have the passing accuracy of 68.99 per cent.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Jamshedpur and Kerala have faced each other twice. Jamshedpur won one match while the other ended in a draw.

PROBABLE 11s:

Jamshedpur FC: Subrata Paul (GK), Tiri (C), Pratik Chowdhary, Yumnam Raju, Robin Gurung, Mario Arques, Memo, Jerry Mawhmingthanga, Michael Soosairaj, Sergio Cidoncha, Tim Cahill

Kerala Blasters FC: Naveen Kumar (GK), Mohamad Rakip, Sandesh Jhingan (C), Nemanja Lakic-Pesic, Lalruatthara, Nikola Krcmarevic, Sahal Abdul Samad, Seiminlen Doungel, Halicharan Narzary, Slavisla Stojanovic, CK Vineeth