Preview: ATK Mohun Bagan look to go top with win over NorthEast United

The Mariners are on a nine-game unbeaten run .

With an eye on closing the gap at the top of the table, ATK Mohun Bagan will start as hot favourites against bottom-placed NorthEast United FC in the Hero Indian Super League at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda on Saturday.

ATKMB are on a nine-game unbeaten run, sitting fourth in the table with 23 points and having played 13 matches, two less than table-toppers Hyderabad FC who are on 26 points.

The Mariners can aspire to reach the top of the tree with two wins and that has to start against NorthEast United who have not won a game in their last nine outings. They are rock-bottom with 10 points from 16 games and will have nothing but pride to play for.

The Stakes

ATK Mohun Bagan

Juan Ferrando's ATK Mohun Bagan have looked like a well-oiled machine of late, their unbeaten streak being their longest since jumping on the Hero ISL bandwagon. The only cause for concern for Ferrando could be the lack of clean sheets. But other than that, the Kolkata side have looked brilliant in every department under the Spaniard, playing more with the ball and also creating a lot more opportunities in the final third.

Liston Colaco also ended a four-game goalless streak as he gave ATKMB the lead in their 2-1 win over Hyderabad FC in their last game. Colaco took his tally to six goals this season, and along with Manvir Singh the duo have looked in supreme touch.

"Every game is different. We have our plans for NorthEast United. Our way is to keep the ball and attack the spaces. We will try to find the best moments in possessional attack." Ferrando said at the pre-match press conference.

"They have good players and we need to be focussed for ninety minutes."

Asked about Sandesh Jhingan starting the game, the boss said: "He has trained since last week of January. He is working hard and for him, it's a pre-season for him. I am very happy as he has been very good in the last few training sessions. He is an important player for us.

NorthEast United

This season has been a disappointing season for NorthEast United. The club struggled to find any consistency as they were the only team not to go unbeaten in at least two games this season. The club had at least one loss in every two games. The Highlanders have conceded 35 goals in 16 games, they have not shipped more goals in the league stages of any other Hero ISL season.

"We will prepare the same way for this game. Everybody is ready and they are motivated to do well," NorthEast United head coach Jamil said. The last time the two sides met, ATK Mohun Bagan won 3-2.

Team News

ATK Mohun Bagan

The Mariners will be sweating on the fitness of Hugo Boumous and Carl McHugh after they were forced to be subbed out early against Hyderabad FC. Roy Krishna also remains a doubt with post-COVID injury niggles.

NorthEast United

NorthEast United will only be without defender Provat Lakra, who picked up a suspension after receiving four yellow cards.

Starting XI

ATK Mohun Bagan

Amrinder Singh, Pritam Kotal, Sandesh Jhingan, Tiri, Subashish Bose, Lenny Rodrigues, Deepak Tangri, Joni Kauko, Manvir Singh, David Williams

NorthEast United

Subhashish Roy Chowdhury, Joe Zoherliana, Mashoor Shareef, Zakaria Diallo, Gurjinder Kumar, Pragyan Gogoi, Mohammed Irshad, Hernan Santana, Marco Sahanek, Marcelinho, VP Suhair

Did you know?

Liston Colaco is the highest-scoring Indian player in the ISL this season with 6 goals.

Hernan Santana has made more interceptions (37) than any other player in the ISL so far this season.

VP Suhair has been among the most hard-working forwards in the ISL this season. He’s made 73 tackles. This is the the most for any forward in the league. He as also made the second-most number of fouls (33) in the league this season.

Telecast

The match between ATK Mohun Bagan and NorthEast United will take place at the Fatorda Stadium, Goa, from 7:30 pm. Once can see the game live on the Star Sports Network. It will also be live-streamed on Disney+Hotstar and JioTV.

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