Preview: Odisha FC visit NorthEast United with playoffs aim

The Highlanders are to play their final game at home, whereas the visitors look to take a giant step in the qualification race.

NorthEast United will host Odisha FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium on Friday, in what is to be their final home of the ISL 2022-23 season. The home team are rock bottom in the league, and are expecting what would be only their second win of the campaign. Also, the Highlanders would love to spoil Odisha’s top-six aspirations, as a defeat for the visitors would be terrible for them at this stage of the season.

The Stakes

NorthEast United

NorthEast’s season is pretty much over, as the Highlanders are unambiguously out of the qualification race, and are looking to draw the curtains, on what has been a pretty dreadful season for them. With merely two games left, NorthEast are not only on their way to the worst point total in an ISL season, but they are also looking at downright humiliation, as they have only picked five points throughout.

Only Friday, the home team would want to please their fans, and give them a moment to rejoice, after what has been a tough season for them.

Odisha FC

Odisha FC are currently seventh in the points table, and are one of the four teams, who are in the race for the fourth, fifth and sixth positions, respectively. The Juggernauts have had a roller-coaster ride this season, and have experienced their highs and lows, but haven’t failed to turn up at crucial moments. On Friday, their objective would be very much the same, and that is to pick up all three points, and put themselves in the perfect position, for a place in the top-six.

Injury & Team News

Hira Mondal and Roman are doubtful for NorthEast United. Also, the Highlanders welcome back Wilmar Jordan Gil, as he returns after his suspension and Gaurav Bora is out for the remainder of the season following a facial surgery. Other than that, Mashoor and Pragyan are suspended for tommorow's game. Odisha FC will miss the services of Osama Malik, who is out with a hamstring injury.

Head-to-Head

NorthEast United and Odisha FC have met each other on nine occasions in the ISL, prior to this match.

NorthEast United – 2

Odisha FC – 3

Drawn – 4

Predicted Line-Ups

NorthEast United (4-3-3)

Arindam Bhattacharjee (GK); Alex Saji, Mohammed Irshad, Aaron Evans, Gurjinder Kumar; Joseba Beitia, Emil Benny, Jithin MS; Parthib Gogoi, Wilmar Jordan, Kule Mbombo.

Odisha FC (4-3-3)

Amrinder Singh (GK); Shubham Sarangi, Lalruatthara, Carlos Delgado, Denechandra Meitei; Thoiba Singh, Saul Crespo, Raynier Fernandes; Nandhakumar Sekar, Diego Mauricio, Isak Vanlalruatfela.

Player to Watch

Parthib Gogoi (NorthEast United)

Parthib has been a standout performer for the Highlanders this season. The 20-year-old has been at the top of his game whenever given the opportunity to play, and has very much consolidated his place in the starting XI for the game against Odisha, after an impressive game against East Bengal, in which he scored an out-of-the-box worldie.

Diego Mauricio (Odisha FC)

Mauricio has been by far Odisha’s best player this season. The Brazilian has 11 goals to his name, and has been on the scoresheet in Odisha’s last three games. Notably, he has single-handedly controlled Odisha’s attack at times.

In a crucial game against NorthEast, Mauricio's contribution would be vital, and his performance would very much dictate Odisha’s momentum in this game.

Did You Know?

• NorthEast United have suffered the heaviest defeat this season, a 7-3 loss against Chennaiyin FC.
• Both teams are currently in a confident state, after having managed to put on a great performance in their previous outing.
• The last time these two teams met, Odisha defeated the Highlanders 2-1.

Telecast

The match between NorthEast United and Odisha FC will be played at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Friday (17th February). The match will be live-streamed on Disney+ Hotstar and JioTV. Moreover, it will also be telecasted on the Star Sports Network.