NorthEast United Vs Hyderabad FC: Nizams look to develop winning run

A win will take either of the sides into the top four.

A fascinating clash awaits us at the Tilak Maidan on Friday night, as NorthEast United host Hyderabad FC in a clash between two teams primed for a top four finish. The clash between two sides coming on the back of contrasting results will make for an interesting spectacle with three points a must on the night. 

While NorthEast United were seen off by a classy ATK Mohun Bagan in their last game, Hyderabad FC put an end to their losing run of three games in style with a thumping 1-4 win against Chennaiyin FC. A win on Friday night will ultimately lead one of the two back into the top four. 

The Stakes

NorthEast United FC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCcPjASGnL8

While NorthEast United had a good start to the season, they have endured a tough run in the past few games. The progress of the Highlanders has hit a roadblock since their last win against East Bengal a month ago. 

Since then, the Highlanders haven’t won a single game and have scored only four goals in five outings. Their defence has also lost a bit of resilience and against a Hyderabad side buoyed by their big success against Chennaiyin, the task could be much tougher. 

NorthEast United possess plenty of exciting players, but their downward slide would give more reasons to worry for head coach Gerard Nus. But, a win against Hyderabad on Friday night could set a lot of problems straight and keep them heading in the right direction. 

Hyderabad FC

The performances of Hyderabad FC this season have been a far cry from the insipid performances of the previous campaign. Under Manolo Marquez, Hyderabad have looked entertaining and will take a lot of inspiration from their big win against the Marina Machans earlier this week. 

The Nizams invested well in the summer and it is safe to say that Marquez has found his best XI and the stability that it offers. The Spaniard hasn’t tinkered a lot with his lineup recently and that has set a stable team for him in games. Hyderabad FC will be looking to take inspiration from last year’s thumping win against NorthEast United at their home. 

Head-to-Head

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAHuBw-S928&t=1s

This would be the third meeting between Friday night’s opponents. The two teams faced off against each other for the first time last season and both teams share a win each. A late penalty from Maximiliano Barreiro settled things in Hyderabad for the Highlanders, while the Nizams smashed the home team 1-5 in the last league game of the previous campaign. 

Team News

For NorthEast United, Kwesi Appiah could be a doubt after missing the last game against ATK Mohun Bagan. But apart from him, Gerard Nus has the rest of his squad available for selection 

Manolo Marquez confirmed ahead of the game that Fran Sandaza and Nikhil Poojary will be missing the game against the Highlanders due to injury. Apart from the duo, the Nizams will be having the rest of the squad available for selection.

Probable Lineups

NorthEast United: Gurmeet (GK), Mehta, Lambot, Fox, Gurjinder, Lalengmawia, Camara, Gallego, Rochharzela, Suhair VP, Appiah.  

Hyderabad FC: Kattimani (GK), Rai, Onaindia, Chinglensana, Mishra, Chakrabarti, Victor, Chianese, Yasir, Narzary, Santana.

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Man to Watch

Kwesi Appiah (NorthEast United FC)

The Ghanaian has been the go-to man for NorthEast United when needed and he has been an important part of their attacking setup along with Idrissa Sylla. 

Appiah has scored three goals in eight games so far this season and while he has been used in about 60% of those games by Gerard Nus, Appiah has posted a decent number of 1.5 shots/game. Despite taking fewer shots, Appiah boasts a credible 23% goal conversion rate. 

As the season goes on, Appiah is bound to get more game-time and thereby increase his numbers. The Ghanaian will look to add to his tally against a Hyderabad FC side who have to guard against susceptibility to let in easy goals. With increased numbers and continued presence on the pitch for the Highlanders, Appiah’s consistency and output will be crucial for NorthEast United in their game on Friday.  

Halicharan Narzary (Hyderabad FC)

Halicharan Narzary has found a new lease of life at Hyderabad with regular playing time under head coach Marquez. The Assamese has scored five goals in his ISL career, out of which three have come this season, including a brace in his side’s big win in the last game against Chennaiyin FC. 

Narzary's proactiveness in attack has helped take a lot of attacking load off Aridane Santana, who still leads the scoring charts for the Nizams. The fact that Narzary attempts 2.5 shots/game (his highest tally in ISL) says a lot about the belief that the coach has in playing him as a progressive winger. 

He also combines good pace with crossing ability, attempting close to three crosses/game. Having scored a brace in the last outing and playing in a much better attack than before with more opportunities, Narzary could see this as his chance to become an integral player in Hyderabad’s plans. 

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Did You Know?

• NorthEast United are the only team in the ISL to have a goals-to-games ratio of less than 1 (105 goals in 107 games in the ISL) – the lowest in ISL among all teams. 
• Hyderabad’s 5-1 win against NorthEast United last season is the second biggest away win in ISL history. 
• NorthEast United hold the ignominious record of having suffered the most defeats in ISL history (44 in 107 games).

Telecast 

The match between NorthEast United and Hyderabad FC will be live on Star Sports 1 & 1HD, Star Sports 2 & 2HD (ENGLISH), Star Sports Hindi 1 & 1HD, Star Sports 3 (HINDI) and several other regional languages. The match will also be available for live streaming on JioTV and Disney+Hotstar.