ISL 2015: Chennaiyin FC vs NorthEast United FC- Preview, Live stream & TV channel info, Team News, Prediction
With both level on points and outside the playoff places, Chennaiyin FC and NorthEast United lock horns at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, with the knowledge that a win for either side will put them straight back into contention. The reverse fixture in Guwahati was a fiercely contested affair – one in which the referee issued 10 yellow cards and a red card.
NorthEast won that ill-tempered affair 2-0 and come into this game on the back of a morale-boosting away win against Atletico de Kolkata.
Chennaiyin, on the other hand, have been plagued by indiscipline and inconsistency. The have accumulated just the 10 points from their 8 games so far, and that they’ve conceded 8 penalties in the 8 games will be a huge cause for worry for their Italian manager Marco Materazzi. Chennaiyin lost their previous game 2-0 to FC Goa and will be keen to bounce back with a win, especially given that they play at home.
NorthEast have recovered after a poor start to get back into playoff contention while Chennaiyin have never been able to put together a string of positive results. Not surprisingly, Chennaiyin’s three wins this season have come from games in which they have not conceded a penalty.
Kickoff and Live Telecast
Date and Time: Wednesday, 11th รข??November 2015 – 1900 IST
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi
Channel: Star Sports 2 and 3, Star Sports HD 2 and HD 3,
Live Stream: starsports.com
Team News
Chennaiyin have Harmanjot Khabra suspended again after the midfielder picked up his second red card of the season, but that is trivial for this game as he is away on International duty anyway. Karanjit Singh and Jeje Lalpekhlua are also with the Indian National Team. Jayesh Rane is still recovering from an ankle injury, which makes his availability for the game uncertain.
The big Ethiopian, Fikru Teferra has found it difficult to blend into Materazzi’s plans and he might well make way for the foreigner’s slot which Edel Bete is likely to take between the sticks. Brazilians Mailson Alves and Raphael Augusto have been impressive and are expected to start, but their compatriot Elano, who set the league on fire last year, has not quite been able to replicate that form.
For NorthEast, the trio of Aiborlang Khongjee, Robin Gurung and Holicharan Narzary miss out due to National duty. Cedric Hengbart missed the last game but is likely to slot right back in alongside Carlos Lopez in central defense. That change will see Andre Bikey moving back to a holding midfield role.
NorthEast have been galvanized by Simao Sabrosa’s return from injury, with the Portuguese marquee player and Argentine Nico Velez assuming a bulk of the attacking responsibility for Cesar Farias’s side.
Probable starting XIs
Chennaiyin FC: Edel Bete, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Mailson Alves, Bernard Mendy, Dhanachandra Singh, Raphael Augusto, Thoi Singh, Elano, Balwant Singh, Stiven Mendoza, Godwin Franco
NorthEast United FC: TP Rehenesh, Cedric Hengbart, Carlos Lopez, Reagan Singh, Raju Yumnam, Andre Bikey, Bruno Arias, Simao Sabrosa, Nico Velez, Seityasen Singh, Sanju Pradhan
Key Battles
Elano v Andre Bikey
Although Elano has produced nowhere near what he is capable of, he remains Chennaiyin’s most important player. The crafty Brazilian is generally the one pulling the strings for Chennaiyin, and providing the service for the likes of Mendoza up front.
Bikey joined the NorthEast squad midway through the tournament, and has already made an impact, more so as a holding midfielder than from his natural centre-back position. Opposition teams seem to have found a strategy to curb Elano – by denying him space and time on the ball.
With his physique, Bikey is more than capable of doing that. So, it will be an interesting battle between the two seasoned campaigners.
Mailson Alves and Bernard Mendy v Simao Sabrosa and Nico Velez
Simao has proved his worth to this NorthEast side by netting three goals in the four games that he has played so far. Velez, from the River Plate academy, has combined effectively with Simao to ensure that NorthEast have some tooth about their attack.
For Chennaiyin, the defense has been a huge cause for concern. With them conceding the number of penalties they have so far, and having the worst disciplinary record in the league, it will be important that the defense is marshaled well by their centre-backs. Failing which, Simao and Velez will most certainly make them pay.
Prediction
Both teams are in dire need of the three points to put themselves back in contention for the playoffs. Chennaiyin have the home advantage, but form is on NorthEast’s side. NorthEast have not lost to Chennaiyin in their three ISL games so far, and that trend might just continue in Chennai.
Score Prediction: Chennaiyin FC 1-1 NorthEast United FC