Kerala bank on home form against Pune City FC

Kerala Blasters coach Steve Coppell believes his team has a very good chance of qualification to semi-finals of the Hero Indian Super League if they play to their potential against FC Pune City at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Friday.

Kerala Blasters are outside the top four for now with 15 points from 11 matches but a win against Pune, placed fourth with the same number of points but a better goal difference, will push them to the second spot, behind league leaders Mumbai City FC.

Coppell knows the importance of pocketing victory with just three matches left to be played and will be encouraged with the team's impressive performances at home. Kerala Blasters have conceded just three goals at home, the joint lowest along with Mumbai City, and they are the only team to have won three back-to-back matches at home. Since losing the opening game at home against Atletico de Kolkata, Kerala Blasters are on a four-match unbeaten streak at home.

"After 11 games, we are still in a position to qualify. If we play to our potential, then we have a very good chance to be in the play-offs. That was our target at the beginning of the season," said Coppell.

Pune City are facing a must-win situation with 15 points from 12 matches. They are placed fourth for now but failure to win maximum points in their next two matches could result in elimination.

"It's important (to win) because there are six, seven teams who want to be in the play-offs," said assistant coach David Moliner said.