TILAK MAIDAN: Although most of the players were tested positive for Covid last week, Blasters coach Ivan Vukomanovic has lined up a strong team against arch-rivals Bengaluru FC. The Blasters are playing a match after a gap of 17 days. Coach Vukomanovic told in the news conference on Saturday that the match fitness issue was an issue. There are players on the team for a kabaddi match, but this is a football match, the coach told the reporters as questions were asked about the health conditions of the players.

Nishukumar will replace the injured captain Jesel. In the last match too, Nishukumar replaced Jessel. In Jessel' s absence, Adrian Luna will lead the team.

Team: Goalkeeper: Prabhusukhan Singh Gill; Defensive line: Hormipam, Nishu Kumar, Mark Leskovich; Middle order: Putia, Harmanjot Singh Khabra, Sahal Abdul Samad, Adrian Nicholas Luna, Jackson Singh; Forwards: Pereira Diaz, Alvaro Vazquez Garcia