NorthEast United FC
V
.
Delhi Dynamos FC
1900 IST, 28 November, 2015
Indira Gandhi Stadium, Guwahati
*****
The stakes could not be higher as third place Delhi Dynamos FC take on fourth place NorthEast United FC at Guwahati’s Indira Gandhi stadium on Saturday. The race for the top 4 spots in the Indian Super League is hotting up and both these teams, separated by a single point, are prime contenders for a place in the semi finals.
On the back of 3 wins in their last 5 matches, a rejuvenated NorthEast United FC will be looking to climb above their opponents on the day in the ISL league table and cement their position in the top 4. Having lost their first 3 matches in the tournament, credit must be given to NorthEast United FC manager Cesar Farias for turning around the fortunes of his side. Delhi Dynamos suffered their heaviest defeat in the tournament last time out as they got crushed 4-0 by an excellent Chennaiyin FC side. They will be looking to bounce back from that defeat when they face an in form NorthEast United side in Guwahati. Three points against the North East club will virtually assure the Dynamos of a place in the semi finals of the Indian Super League.
Team News and Tactical Brief:
NorthEast United FC:
Farias will most likely deploy his favoured 4-1-4-1 formation against the Delhi Dynamos in Guwahati. Rehenesh is expected to continue in goal for the Highlanders. North East’s four man backline of Raju, Carlos Lopez, Cedric Hengbart and Reagan has held up well in the tournament so far and is likely to be the combination that will be employed by Farias against the Dynamos. Victor Mendy, who scored against FC Goa last time out, will most likely replace Francis Dadzie upfront for the hosts. He will be playing ahead of a 4 man midfield of Sanju, Herrero, Silas and Portuguese stalwart Simao Sabrosa. Siam Hanghal will play behind the aforementioned quartet as a defensive shield. After a slow start to the tournament, Simao is finally finding his feet in the Indian Super League and will be major creative force for the Highlanders on Saturday.
Probable Starting Lineup (4-1-4-1): Rehenesh; Raju, Hengbart, Lopez, Reagan; Hanghal; Simao, Sanju, Herrero, Silas; Mendy.
Delhi Dynamos FC
The imperious Lions backline of Anas Edathodika, John-Arne Riise, Ralte Adinga and Souvik suffered a major set back as they were ripped apart by Chennaiyin FC last time out. However, Roberto Carlos is expected to give the vote of confidence to his back four and will field them against NorthEast United FC. Doblas is also expected to continue between the sticks. The 4-4-2 formation, which worked so well at home against FC Pune City, was employed by Carlos against Chennaiyin FC with disastrous consequences. Hence, Carlos is expected to revert back to his much favoured 4-5-1 formation which served him well in the initial stages of the tournament.
Club captain Hans Mulder will most likely come in for Vinicius and accompany Chicao in central holding midfield. Former French International Florent Malouda will take up the No. 10 position in the starting line up behind striker Robin Singh. Adil Nabi, who has been a livewire in the recent weeks, might get a rest against NorthEast United FC. He will be most likely be replaced by Sehnaj Singh on the right hand side of midfield. Len will occupy the other flank in the Delhi midfield.
Probable Starting Lineup (4-3-3): Doblas (GK); Anas, Riise, Ralte, Souvik; Mulder, Chicao; Malouda, Len, Sehnaj; Singh.
Predictions:
NorthEast United FC 1 -1 Delhi Dynamos FC
The Delhi Dynamos will look to tighten up at the back after their 4-0 mauling by Chennaiyin FC. NorthEast United FC will be hoping to utilize their home advantage and put in a stellar showing against the Dynamos. A loss for either side in this crucial match up will be detrimental to their qualifying hopes. A tight, tense affair is to be expected between these two sides at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Guwahati. TheHardTackle predicts a scoreline of 1-1 between the Delhi Dynamos FC and NorthEast United FC.
