Matchday 51 brings us back to the Tilak Maidan in Vasco as Northeast United FC face off against a high flying Hyderabad FC.
Blast from the past :
In February 2020, Northeast United FC hosted Hyderbad FC in a home game and unfortunately the Highlanders were on the receiving end of an absolute 5-1 massacre due to suspensions and injuries to key players.
Northeast United FC :
Gerard Nus and company come into this game on the back of 2-0 defeat against ATK MohunBagan and are ever so determined to change their fortunes against the Nizams. The Highlanders have looked good in front of the goal but what is a point of concern is their finishing as they rank second in terms of big chances missed. The absence of target man Kwesi Appiah has been felt and has come in as an added topping to their problems. Northeast United’s backline has been consistent irrespective of the result in their last outing.
“We analyze about Hyderabad, we know they are a good side. We’re not just thinking about what they’re coming from which obviously it was a good result for them but also we know that no matter what has been the result, before this game they come from three defeats. But, the point is for us it’s not just what happens in the game in terms of results.
We analyze what the teams do with ball possession, what the teams do defensively, what they do in set pieces and so many other ways of creating chances. We try to take everything under consideration. We gonna try to be in our best. We gonna try to be defensively good and offensively good as well.” added Gerard Nus at the Pre-match press conference.
Hyderabad FC :
The Nizams started the season on a high but did lose their momentum but they are back on track as they brought an end to their losing streak of 3 matches against Chennaiyin FC and pulled off a massive 4-1 win with former Northeast United FC winger Halicharan Narzary scoring a brace, Joel Chianese and Joao Victor scoring one each.
Manuel Marquez’s men have been strong in the attacking third but have looked vulnerable when it’s comes to defending. The Nizams have gifted some goals to their opponents courtesy of some silly mistakes and will hope not to repeat their mistakes against the Highlanders.
“The other day we won 4-1 after three consecutive defeats. The same NorthEast United started the competition six games without losing, but now they didn’t win the last five games, If we win against NorthEast United, we will be in the top four, but you have to improve game-by-game and see what happens.” said Manuel Marquez at the Pre-match press conference.
Battles to watch out for :
Khassa Camara vs Aridane Santana
The Mauritanian international has been the Highlanders go to player in the middle of the park and has delivered some match winning performances and will surely be the man to the watch out for from Northeast United FC’s point of view to stop Hyderabad’s promising attack.
Aridane on the other hand has continued his form from where he left last season and will be looking to add some goals to his tally against the Highlanders but will need to get past Khassa Camara.
Halicharan Narzary vs Ashutosh Mehta
The former Northeast United winger is on cloud nine courtesy of a brace against the Marina Machans and will hope to continue the same form going into the tie against his former side but standing in his way will be Ashutosh Mehta.
Ashutosh Mehta will have the responsibility on his shoulders to take care of Halicharan Narzary in order to keep a clean sheet and will also play an integral part to creat some chances from the right flank.
Probable Starting XI :
Northeast United FC : Subhasish, Ashutosh, Dylan, Benjamin, Gurjinder, Camara, Fanai, Apuia, Machado, Gallego, Suhair.
Hyderabad FC : Subrata, Odei, Akash, Ashish, Chinglensana, Hitesh, Luis, Yasir, Halicharan, Chianese, Aridane.
Live Broadcast Schedule:
Hero ISL 2020-21 Match 51: NorthEast United FC vs Hyderabad FC
Date: January 8 (Friday)
Time: 7:30 PM onwards
Channels: Star Sports Network
Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar and Jio TV