NorthEast United Vs Jamshedpur FC Preview: Victory crucial for both

The Men of Steel are unbeaten after their loss against Chennaiyin FC in the opening week.

NorthEast United are all set to face Jamshedpur FC in their seventh match of the season.  The Highlanders are still unbeaten, with two wins and four draws from their six matches so far. Jamshedpur’s campaign is yet to gain momentum, after gathering seven points from their six matches so far. Both teams arrive for Friday’s match after drawing their last one.

The Stakes

NorthEast United head coach Gerard Nus has made it clear that although he is happy with his team’s unbeaten start to the season, he would like to win more matches. Though the Highlanders haven’t lost any of their six matches so far, they have drawn four of them and won only two. Their last game was a goalless draw against Chennaiyin FC. Despite the run of draws, NorthEast United sit comfortably at the top end of the table, occupying one of the playoff spots. T would like to maintain their unbeaten run against Jamshedpur FC to further strengthen their position in the top four.

Jamshedpur, on the other hand, haven’t been able to kick-start their season the way they’d hoped to. Head coach Owen Coyle, after working miracles for Chennaiyin last campaign, is yet to work his magic the Men of Steel. However, his team will come into the game against NorthEast United full of confidence after the spirited display against Mumbai City FC in the last match. Jamshedpur played more than half of the match with 10-men after Aitor Monroy was sent off in the 28th minute. The team produced a gritty defensive display against a formidable Mumbai attack. A win for Jamshedpur would see them climb their way into the top four.

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Team News

NorthEast United head coach Gerard Nus keeps tinkering with his starting XI in order to keep his players fresh and free from injury. Clearly this strategy has worked for the Spaniard, as he will have almost his full squad to choose from. The situation with Uruguayan midfielder Federico Gallego is however, not yet clear and the coach is adamant that Gallego will not return until he is 100%.

Aitor Monroy is set to miss the next match after being sent off in the previous fixture against Mumbai City. Narender Gahlot, Nicholas Fitzgerald and David Grande are long-term absentees. Defender Laldinliana is set to return after serving his suspension.

Head-to-Head

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJmxEf9JchM

NorthEast United and Jamshedpur have faced each other six times and five of the matches have ended in draws. Jamshedpur have emerged victorious in one.

Last season the two teams faced each other twice. The match in Jamshedpur ended in a 1-1 draw, while the one in Guwahati ended in a 3-3 stalemate.

Probable Lineups

NorthEast United: Gurmeet (GK); Ashutosh, Gurjinder, Lambot, Fox; Apuia, Camara, Machado, Rochharzela, VP Suhair; Sylla.

Jamshedpur FC:  Rehenesh (GK); Amin, Eze, Hartley, Lallawmawma; Rahman, Vanmalsawma,Alex; Lalnunfela, Valskis, Jackichand.

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Men to Watch

Rochharzela (NorthEast United)

NorthEast United have had a defensive approach to their games so far this season, which has resulted in them playing out so many draws. However their manager has said in post-match press conferences that his side will push more to win games, which means that they will have to be more offensive. 

In the attacking department Rochharzela has been instrumental for the Highlanders. The former Aizawl forward already has a goal to his name, but apart from scoring he also creates a lot of chances. His pace and directness is a threat to opposition defenders. Despite only coming on in the second half, Rochharzela created the two most clear-cut chances for the Highlanders against Chennaiyin in the last match. The Jamshedpur defenders will have a job on their hands to keep him quiet. 

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Nerijus Valskis (Jamshedpur FC)

Nerijus Valskis has scored six of Jamshedpur’s seven goals in their six matches so far. The Lithuanian will expectedly be the primary focal point of the team’s attack in the coming game. NorthEast United have been very solid defensively this season and chances for their oppositions come few and far between because of their compactness. Thus, Jamshedpur would need a striker who can make the most of whatever chances come his way and in Valskis they have the perfect man for the job.

Did You Know?

• NorthEast United played their 100th match and scored their 100th goal in the Indian Super League earlier this season.
• The last four matches between NorthEast United and Jamshedpur FC have ended in draws.
• NorthEast United were also unbeaten for the first six games of last season. They ended the campaign in ninth place.

Telecast

The live telecast of the match between NorthEast United FC and Jamshedpur FC will be telecast on Star Sports 1 SD and HD, Star Sports 2 SD and HD (English), Star Sports Hindi 1 SD and HD, Star Sports 3 and several other regional languages. Live streaming of the match will be available on Hotstar and Jio TV. 

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