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NorthEast United FC are ready to welcome Mumbai City FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati - their 3rd home game of ISL 2017. The head-to-head battle between the two sides is deadlocked at 2 each in 3 seasons, while 2 encounters ended as a draw.
The Highlanders are coming into this game on the back of consecutive defeats in their last two games with an identical scoreline of 1 goal to nil. They are also looking for their first home victory of this season, having lost one and drawn one so far. NorthEast have also failed to find the back of the net at home in first two encounters and will look to bounce back tonight.
On the other side, Mumbai City FC are also coming here after a home defeat against Atletico de Kolkata. Similar to NorthEast, the scoreline of Mumbai’s last two games have also remained identical (1-0) - Mumbai City have lost one against ATK and won against Chennaiyin FC. With both sides equally strong at the back, it will be interesting to see who will come out on top.
NorthEast United FC
NorthEast United head coach Joao Deus seems to be a bit concerned about his side's inability to find the back of the net often - they have scored just two goals this season, the 2nd lowest in ISL 2017. However, he is working on this and believes that it can change any moment.
He seems to be quite happy with their defensive performance and not expected to make any changes as of now. TP Rehenesh is suspended for a red card in the previous game, which will force him to bring Ravi Kumar in the starting XI. We are not expecting any more changes in the side from the previous game and Deus will field his boys in his favoured formation of 4-2-3-1 to pack the midfield with bodies.
NorthEast United FC Probable Starting XI: Ravi, Nirmal, Sambinha, Jose, Reagan, Borges, Diaz, Doungel, Narzary, Marcinho, Lopes
Mumbai City FC
Mumbai City head coach Alexandre Guimaraes believes the team is ready to give its best, despite this being their 2nd game in the gap of just 3 days, with the players fully recovered. Mumbai City FC are lacking a bit of consistency this season as they have won one game in first 3 games and one in last 3 games.
The Mumbai outfit has not done well especially in away games, where they managed to pick up just 1 point in 3 games. They will surely look to change this and produce an improved performance tonight against the Highlanders tonight.
With no injuries in the side, the only change we are expecting is of Leo Costa coming back to the side in place of Rafa Jorda. The Costa Rican coach will look to field his side in a 3-2-4-1 formation to use the flanks to good effect.
Mumbai City FC Probable Starting XI: Amrinder, Wadoo, Goian, Raju, Vieira, Rakesh, Emana, Ruidas, Costa, E. Santos, Balwant
Prediction
NorthEast United FC 0-1 Mumbai City FC
With both sides equally strong at the back, we are expecting a cagy encounter in Guwahati tonight. However, Mumbaikars are expected to register their first away victory of ISL 2017 and take home all 3 points.
