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It will be a battle of two teams who have suffered humiliating losses in their last two encounters as NorthEast United take on Mumbai City, a battle of two teams who sit right next to each other in the points table and would be looking to make their way to the semi-finals. It is also a battle of two teams who have the worst goal difference of the league.
Hosts NorthEast were defeated 1-4 at home by Kerala Blasters, who brought their campaign back on track while Mumbai City registered the worst loss of the season by any team as FC Goa annihilated them 7-0 at Margao.
Mumbai City will come into this match with the positive that they defeated The Highlanders 5-1 the last time they met at the DY Patil Stadium this season. They now have a chance to be the second team to register a double over the North Eastern team, with Kerala being the only team to do so. Meanwhile, Cesar Farias would be looking to rebuild the lost confidence of the team as they approach the knock out stages of the league.
Kickoff Time and Telecast
Live Telecast: StarSports 2, StarSports HD2, Star Gold (Hindi)
Live Stream: starsports.com
Date and Time: Friday, 20 November 2015 – 19:00 IST
Venue: Indira Gandhi Stadium, Sarusajai, Guwahati
Live Updates on Sportskeeda
Team News
NorthEast coach Farias accepted that it was his tactical blunder that led to a loss in the last match. The defence fell apart when he played Andre Bikey in midfield while Sanju played on the left, contrary to his traditional right-wing position in the team. He started with Simao Sabrosa and Nicholas Velez while local boy Alen Deory also got a chance to start. He accredited these changes to the packed schedule of the league and fatigue of the players.
But this time around he cannot afford to experiment and it wouldn’t be hard to guess that he would be returning to his conventional style of starting with a strong back line and using super subs to attack. Bikey is expected to go back and take care of the defence alongside the experience of Cedric Hengbart and India international Aiborlang Khongjee.
Francis Dadzie might be dropped as he hasn’t been in his best of form, new signing Victor Mendy might take his place. Kamara is expected to make a comeback in the starting XI alongside Silas, who despite being the oldest player in the squad has displayed immense energy. Sanju Pradhan and Siam Hanghal are the Indian names who would be taking care of the midfield. It would not be surprising if marquee player Simao Sabrosa and Nicholas Velez aren’t named in the starting XI.
Mumbai City too have problems aplenty, particularly in defence. They come into this match winless in their last four games; in fact their last win came against NorthEast. O'Dea, Pereira and Fanai have to show lot more coordination if Mumbai wish to keep their defence intact.
As for the forward line, coach Anelka has Indian captain Sunil Chhetri and Frederic Piquionne available; he just needs to use them judiciously. The coach has already indicated the importance of the role of Chhetri and has indicated his use as a lead striker rather than a winger to be more effective. Sony Norde would be arriving in Guwahati on the day of the match; hence it is a little unlikely that he will start.
Probable Starting lineups
NorthEast United FC (4-4-2): Rehenesh TP, Aiborlang Khongjee, Ralte, Cedric Hengbart, Andre Bikey, Sanju Pradhan, Siam Hanghal, Bruno Arias, Kamara, Silas, Victory Mendy
Mumbai City FC (4-2-3-1): Subrata Pal, Ashutosh Mehta, Pavel Cmovs, Darren O’Dea, Lalchhuanmawia Fanai, Juan Aguilera, Christian Bustos, Sunil Chhetri, Gabriel Fernandes, S. Kuttymani, Frederic Piquionne
Key Battles
Andre Bikey vs Sunil Chhetri
It would be really interesting to see how the Indian captain tackles the man mountain of NorthEast United, Andre Bikey. Chhetri became the first Indian player to score a hat-trick when NorthEast visited Mumbai last time. This will definitely be in the minds of both the players as they take the ground.
NorthEast attack vs Subrata Pal
The lack of a healthy conversion rate still haunts the NorthEast attack and, as such, it will be daunting task for the team’s attacking lineup to get past ace Indian goalkeeper Subrata Pal. He has been quite decent this season apart from the last match.
Nicholas Velez has been dangerous with his speed, but Pal is equally quick when it comes to presence of mind. Long rangers have not been of any particular help for the Highlanders, and hence it would be interesting to see how they get past the Indian Spiderman.
Prediction
NorthEast United 1-1 Mumbai City FC
