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NorthEast United FC are all set to host defending champions ATK in their fifth home game of ISL 2017/18 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. Historically, the Kolkata side is slightly ahead in the head-to-head battle with three wins in comparison to two for the Highlanders.
NorthEast United FC broke their four-game losing streak with a win against FC Goa in their last game playing at the same venue. They will surely look to continue the momentum going forward and will try to come out of the bottom half of the league table. They are currently ninth in the league table with just two wins in eight games.
On the other side, ATK are trying to get their campaign on track. After managing just two points from first four games, they bounced back strongly and have managed to get seven points in the last four games, with the help of two wins and a draw. ATK have lost their previous game against the eventual table toppers Bengaluru FC and will look to quickly get back to winning ways.
NorthEast United FC
NorthEast United delivered a brilliant performance playing under the newly-appointed technical director Avram Grant. The Chelsea ex-manager believes that mentality is the most important thing sometimes, which is the reason behind NorthEast United making a comeback after conceding the equalizer against Goa in last game.
The Israeli manager is not expected to make any changes in the winning combination from last game. Considering the opponent, he might field his boys in 4-1-4-1 formation to use the flanks to great effect and create more goal scoring opportunities.
NorthEast United FC Probable Starting XI: TP Rehenesh, Nirmal, Jose, Sambinha, Reagan, Borges, Diaz, Doungel, Marcinho, Narzary, Lopes.
ATK
Similar to NorthEast United, the Kolkata side also have new members in the coaching staff. The newly appointed assistant coach Eleco Schattorie believes there is huge scope for improvement in the side. He doesn’t believe that team can change their style of playing in mid-season and reach the level of FC Goa and Bengaluru FC.
He surely will try to make amend a couple of things but we should not expect some huge changes in Kolkata side. With Robbie Keane injured, we are expecting Kuqi and Bipin Singh to replace Keane and Shankar in the starting XI. He is most likely to field an attack-heavy formation of 4-1-3-2 to break the strong NorthEast defence.
ATK Probable Starting XI: Debjit, Prabir, Thorpe, Montel, Keegan, Thomas, Bipin, Rupert, Zequinha, Kuqi, Robin.
Prediction
NorthEast United FC 1-0 ATK
Playing their first game under the new head coach, the Highlanders are most likely to take home all three points tonight and register back-to-back wins for the first time in this season. ATK need to do something special to break the strong defence of NorthEast United.
