ISL 2017, Match 2: NorthEast United FC vs Jamshedpur FC Predicted XI

The second day of ISL 2017 is set to witness one of the debutants of the competition, as Jamshedpur FC make the short trip to Guwahati, to face NorthEast United FC at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, on Saturday.

The Indian Super League got off with a bang among much fanfare during the opening ceremony, which where Bollywood stars Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif performed, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Kochi.

That was followed by a goalless draw between last season’s finalists Kerala Blasters and ATK. After both the sides came in for a bit of criticism for their performances, the ISL now moves to Guwahati for the second match, as we get set to see new entrants Jamshedpur FC for the first time.

NorthEast United FC

Rowllin Borges will be a sure starter if he is fit.

The Hdighlanders have gone for a complete revamp of their squad from last season. Their manager has highlighted the fact that expensive marquee signings are not required to build a good team. However, NEUFC have made a number of decent foreign signings, in the form of Brazilian midfield duo of Adilson Goiano and Marcinho. Meanwhile, Luis Alfonso Paez of Colombia is set to give them the attacking impetus up front.

Interestingly though, the Highlanders have built a strong base of Indian players, retaining the likes of goalkeeper TP Rehenesh, midfielder Rowllin Borges and winger Holicharan Narzary. Although Rowllin's participation depends on a late fitness test today, if fit, he is a sure starter for them. To add to that, they have also roped in the likes of Lalrindika Ralte, and captain Robert Lalthlamuana, to add to their squad.

NorthEast United FC Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Rehenesh TP; Robert Lalthanmuana, Sambinha, Jose Goncalves, Nirmal Chhetri; Rowllin Borges, Adilson Goiano; Holicharan Narzary, Marcinho, Lalrindika Ralte; Luis Alfonso Paez.

Jamshedpur FC

Anas Edathodika is set to be a key member of the Jamshedpur defence

For a long time, they have had one of the best football academies in football, but have only acted as a feeder for other clubs. Now however, the Tata Football Academy has a direct link to the cash-rich ISL, where the Tata-owned Jamshedpur FC are set to make their ISL debut.

Jamshedpur have roped in Steve Coppell, the man who had guided the Kerala Blasters to the final last season, as their manager for this campaign. Coppell has brought in a number of top players, forming a rather formidable side.

Stellar Indian names like keeper Subrata Pal, defender Anas Edathodika and Mehtab Hossain, are set to form the backbone of the side. The presence of They have also roped in ex-ATK players Tiri and Sameehg Doutie, both of whom won the ISL last season with the Kolkata-side, while also roping in striker Kervens Belfort from last season’s runners up Kerala Blasters. The presence of Bikash Jairu on the flanks also gives another dimension to their attack, as he can play in the inch-perfect crosses towards Belfort.

Jamshedpur FC Predicted XI (4-3-3): Subrata Pal; Shouvik Ghosh, Anas, Tiri, Souvik Chakrabarti; Mehtab Hossain, Memo, Trinidade Goncalves; Sameehg Doutie, Kervens Belfort, Bkash Jairu.

Prediction

NEUFC 1-1 Jamshedpur FC

With the strength that Jamshedpur FC have built up, defeating them seems to be a difficult task. However, the Men of Steel are playing their first season in the ISL, and they could take some time to build their team chemistry. That, along with the fact that they will be playing in front of the passionate NorthEast United FC fans, could be pointing more towards a draw.