Preview: Can Odisha FC spoil the party for NorthEast United?

The Juggernauts' coach has expressed his wish to upset teams in their remaining games and restore some pride.

Fifth-placed NorthEast United would like to climb into the top four with a win over bottom-placed Odisha FC in their Indian Super League game on Sunday. The Highlanders sit just outside the top four with 23 points from 16 matches played. On the other hand, their opponents Odisha find themselves at the bottom of the table with just one win from 16 matches played. The fixture clearly holds more priority for the Highlanders than their opponents.

The Stakes

After Hyderabad’s draw against East Bengal, a win against the Juggernauts for the Highlanders will give them a clear advantage over their top four rivals. NorthEast United are also in a very good run of form, undefeated in their last six matches, winning three and drawing three. The Highlanders will try to take advantage of Odisha’s poor form this season to win what could be a very crucial three points in their run for playoffs qualification.

Odisha have nothing to play for but pride. Their newly-appointed head coach Gerald Peyton has made it clear that they would like to spoil a few parties before the season ends. Odisha last drew against Kerala Blasters and further dampened their ever-fading hopes of finishing in the top four. The Juggernauts would like to do the same against NorthEast United and disrupt their charge.

Team News

NorthEast United

Ashutosh Mehta and Khassa Camara return after serving their suspension. Defender Wayne Vaz wouldn’t be available for selection and is out for the rest of the season. Other than that, Khalid Jamil will have a full squad to choose from.

Coach Peyton will have rest of the players available for selection.

Head-to-Head

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

The two teams have faced each other thrice, with both winning one game each and one match ending as a draw. The reverse fixture earlier this season ended in a 2-2 draw.

Probable Lineups

NorthEast United:  Subhasish (GK); Ashutosh, Lambot, Mashoor, Gurjinder; Camara, Lalengmawia, Gallego, Machado, Suhair; Brown

Odisha FC: Arshdeep (GK); Dhot, Tratt, Taylor, Antonay; Ramfangzauva, Pradhan, Alexander; Jerry, Inman, Mauricio.

Men to Watch

Federico Gallego (NorthEast United)

Gallego has been the main man for the Highlanders so far this season. The Uruguayan midfielder has registered four goals and four assists so far this season and always has a major role to play in all of NorthEast United’s positive results. He is the main source of creativity in midfield and the Highlanders will look to him to open up the Odisha defence as they eye three points.

Steven Taylor (Odisha FC)

Odisha have conceded 27 goals this season, the second-highest in the league. In order to upset NorthEast United, the Juggernauts will have to tighten up their defence and will look to defender Steven Taylor to do so. The Englishman will have to be solid at the heart of the Odisha defence in order to keep the Highlanders at bay. The former Wellington Phoenix defender also has two goals to his name this season, so he can also be a threat in set-pieces.

Did You Know?

• NorthEast United's Khalid Jamil is the only Indian coach to have gone five matches unbeaten in the Indian Super League.
• NorthEast United have never scored more than three goals in a single match.
• Odisha FC have never qualified for the playoffs for the Indian Super League.

Telecast

The match between NorthEast United and Odisha FC is set to be telecast live on Star Sports 1 SD & HD, Star Sports 2 SD & HD (English), Star Sports Hindi 1 SD & HD, Star Sports 3, Star Gold 2 (Hindi), Asianet Plus (Malayalam), and Star Sports regional channels (in Bangla, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Marathi). It will also be streamed live on Disney+ Hotstar VIP and Premium and Jio TV.