The second match of the 2020-21 ISL season between Northeast United FC and Mumbai City FC is set to take place at the Tilak Maidan Stadium, Goa on 21st of this November.
The home side, Northeast United FC will be led by the young gaffer, Gerrard Nus. The so-called ‘Darkhorse’ of this season; NEUFC had a busy transfer window, revamping nearly the whole slot of foreigners, and signing some proven I-league players.
The away side, Mumbai City FC will be led by the former FC Goa gaffer, Sergio Lobera who led FC Goa to become the first ISL Shield winners of the league. The much highly rated team also had a busy transfer window signing some big proven names in the ISL. They also have the ex-NEUFC players like Rowlin Borges and Bartholomew Ogbeche who have already proved their worth and might in ISL before.
Both teams have been training hard and are surely roaring to start their campaign with nothing short of 3 points and first win in the league.
3 INDIAN PLAYERS AND 3 FOREIGN PLAYERS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN BOTH TEAMS
Now talking about the 3 Indian players to look out for, let’s start with Northeast United FC.
Northeast United FC definitely has a young and talented bunch of Indian players in their squad. Out of these all, picking up 3 is really a tough job. Still picking up 3 Indian players to look out for them are Apuia; a force to reckon on the holding midfield, Rocharzella; the Mizo winger, also the top Indian goalscorer in the previous I-league season and Lalkhawpuimawia an underrated yet a lethal striking force in the opponent’s 30 yards.
ALSO READ – Gerard Nus – We have our plans to counter Mumbai City FC by attractive style of play.
Looking at their foreign signings, it is interesting to see a bunch of young and experienced foreigners mixed in their team. So, 3 foreigners to look out for are Benjamin Lambot, Luis Machado and Idrissa Sylla. Another name to look out for them is Federico Gallego, the Uruguayan who has already proven, is worth owing to an injury and didn’t look the same as he was before. He certainly has a lot to prove this season.
Looking at the Mumbai City FC Indian players, there is a mixture of youth and experienced players. 3 players to look out for them are Rowllin Borges; the ex-NEUFC player and a bossy figure in the holding midfield, Farukh Choudhary; the young winger being a prospect to any team who possess him and Sarthak; the pacey centre back was one of the best in position for the Islanders last season.
Looking at their foreigners, it is quite tough to select 3 among the others they possess. Yet the 3 foreigners to look out for are Adam Le Fondre, Ahmed Jahouh and Hugo Boumous. Another player to look out for is Cy Goddard, a young prospect graduated from the Tottenham Hotspur Academy way back in 2018.
INJURIES
In terms of injuries, there aren’t any notable mention for any player of the team. Though Mourtada Fall of the Islanders hasn’t been training for a while and seems to be lacking match fitness.
EXPECTED LINEUP FOR NORTHEAST UNITED FC
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Subhasish Roy Choudhary(GK), Rakesh Pradhan(LB), Benjamin Lambot(CB), Mashoor Shereef(CB), Ashutosh Mehta(RB), Khassa Camara(CDM), Apuia(CDM), Federico Gallego(CAM), Luis Machado(LWF), Idrissa Sylla(CF), Rocharzella(RWF).
EXPECTED LINEUP FOR MUMBAI CITY FC
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Amrinder Singh(GK), Mandar Rao Desai(LB), Sarthak Golui(CB), Mourtada Fall(CB), Mohammad Rakip(RB), Rowllin Borges(CDM), Ahmed Jahouh(CDM), Hugo Boumous(CAM), Farukh Chaudhary(LWF), Adam Le Fondre(CF), Cy Goddard(RWF).
HEAD-TO-HEAD
A total of 12 matches were played between both the teams where Mumbai City FC managed to win 7 meanwhile Northeast United FC won 3 and 2 matches were drawn.
In the last 5 head-to-head, the Islanders won 3 whereas Highlanders won 1 and 1 match was tied.
PREDICTIONS
On paper, it seems MCFC a bit stronger side than NEUFC, also they posses a good head-to-head match record against NEUFC in the past.
But as mentioned earlier, NEUFC are the dark horse’s of the league and once the situations starts clicking for them, anything can happen.
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