NorthEast United FC vs Mohun Bagan lineups, team news, prediction and preview

Both teams will be looking to grab three points.

The Indian Super League (ISL) will finally return to Guwahati as NorthEast United FC gear up to host Mohun Bagan in a must-win encounter. It will be the first game to be played in the City of Temples since the 3rd of November.

Juan Pedro Benali’s men will return to their base after three back-to-back away games and will look to settle scores with Bagan for the defeat earlier in the season.

The Stakes

NorthEast United FC

The Highlanders are enjoying their best-ever start in the league over the past few seasons and find themselves in the top six. But there are still a lot of issues to resolve if they want to go the distance.

They have scored first in all of their games except the last game where they also ended up on the losing end against East Bengal. NorthEast United FC have struggled with a bit of inconsistency and a fragile backline in the majority of their games. If they can sort out these issues, they will become the team to beat.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant

Mohun Bagan on the other hand are flying high on confidence and find themselves at the peak of the ISL table.

They have lost just one game this season, which was more than two months ago. The Mariners are firing on all cylinders and have taken down almost everyone who has come their way, including NorthEast United. Bagan have been a fun team to watch and have maintained a good balance in both attack and defence. 

Injury and Team News

Both teams have absentees for this game. NorthEast United will miss Mohammed Ali Bemammer due to suspension while Mohun Bagan will be without Subhasish Bose and Alberto Rodríguez who have accumulated four yellow cards.

Head-to-head

Total Matches played – 12

NorthEast United FC wins – 3

Mohun Bagan Super Giant wins – 8

Draws – 1

Predicted Lineups

NorthEast United FC (4-2-3-1)

Gurmeet Singh (GK); Dinesh Singh, Asheer Akhtar, Michel Zabaco, Buanthanglun Samte; Hamza Regragui, Mayakkannan Muthu; Jithin MS, Nestor Albiach, Parthib Gogoi; Alaeddine Ajaraie

Mohun Bagan Super Giant (4-2-3-1) 

Vishal Kaith (GK); Asish Rai, Dippendu Biswas, Tom Aldred, Ashique Kuruniyan; Lalengmawia Ralte, Sahal Abdul Samad; Manvir Singh, Dimitri Petratos, Liston Colaco; Jamie Maclaren

Players to watch

Nestor Albiach (NorthEast United FC)

Nestor has been one of the NorthEast United FC’s most impactful players this season. While Alaeddine Ajaraie has received all the limelight for his heroics in front of goal, Nestor has also made notable contributions in the final third.

With four eye-catching goals, the Spaniard is the Highlanders’ second-highest scorer this season. His creativity coupled with his pin-point ball distribution and Midas first touch makes him a crucial part of Benali’s setup.

Greg Stewart (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)

Greg Stewart has been the driving force behind Bagan’s magical run of form this season. He has been pulling the strings in the middle of the park and creating and scoring goals. The Scottish midfielder is known for his direct free kicks, creative abilities and dribbling.

He loves playing against NorthEast United and has notched up two goals and three assists against them. With five assists to his name, Stewart is the leading assist provider in the league this season.

Did You Know?

• NorthEast United defeated Mohun Bagan in the Durand Cup final to clinch their first silverware.
• The last time Mohun Bagan lost a league game against the Highlanders was back in December 2022 in Guwahati.
• Mohun Bagan clinched a 3-2 comeback win in the last game.
• NorthEast United FC have dropped 12 points from winning positions this season.

Telecast

The NorthEast United FC vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant game kicks off at 7:30 PM IST, at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on December 8, 2024.

Live telecast of the fixture will be available on Sports18 Network (Sports18 1/VH1 Channel). Live streaming of the game will be available on the JioCinema app. Viewers from abroad can use OneFootball to stream the game.

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