ISL 2015: NorthEast United vs Chennaiyin FC - Preview, Live Stream & Channel Info, Team News, Prediction
Winless NorthEast United faces an uphill task on Tuesday as they face Chennaiyin FC in the fourth encounter of the ISL season 2. The quest now is not just for NEUFC’s first points but the struggle to also overcome the mammoth goal difference (-5) which has built up over the course of previous matches.
On the other hand, Chennaiyin FC have the momentum. After having defeated FC Goa 4-0 at home followed by a 2-0 win at Mumbai, they would be looking for a hat-trick of wins against an injury troubled NorthEast United. On song Chennaiyin have scored 8 goals in the tournament, having maintained clean sheets in the last two games. In any case, things won’t be easy at all for Cesar Farias’ boys, especially considering the fact they have scored just 2 goals in three matches.
Kickoff and Telecast
Live Telecast: Star Sports 2, Star Sports HD2, Star Gold (Hindi)
Live Stream: Star Sports
Date and Time: Monday, 20 October 2015 – 1900 IST
Venue: Indira Gandhi Stadium, Guwahati
Team News
NorthEast United are still waiting for marquee player Simao Sabrosa to make his ISL debut. The team has confirmed that the Portuguese player has reached Guwahati and has been training well so there is a probability that he might play tomorrow as a substitute.
Three keys players of NEUFC are already out due to injury. Defender Miguel Garcia is out with an Achilles injury and is back home for treatment. Kondwani Mtonga who suffered a pre-season injury is now almost confirmed to miss the entire season alongside Boubacar Sanogo who suffered a full tear of his quadracep during a training session.
In the absence of Garcia, Cedric Hengbart led the defence. Hengbart did show some clinical work in the backline alongside Regan Singh, but the goal difference of the team is reflective of the loops holes that exist in the defence. NEUFC has consistently failed to mark opposition players, especially during counter attack.
The major worry for the team is the forward line. Argentine Nicholas Velez showed sparks in the first match but has not yet been able to show his true colours. The top scorer of the S-League missed some really close chances in the last match.
“It’s difficult when you have eight players injured, you have to play the same players again and again. It exposes the techniques also there is the issue of fatigue.” – Farias
Chennaiyin are a far more formidable side. Colombian forward Stiven Mendoza is on fire having scored 5 goals so far and is the top scorer of the season so far. Fellow teammate and free kick king Elano Blumer is second in the table with 2 goals. Chennaiyin have scored most number of goals in the tournament and now they are up against the team which has conceded the most.
Chennaiyin has a very efficient forward line. They have already been very clinical with 36 shot on target, which is also the highest in the tournament so far. Mendoza, Jayesh Rane and Brazilian Raphael Augusto have really combined well up front.
“Every player in the team has to compete for a slot in the team.” – Materazzi
Possible Lineups
NorthEast United FC (4-4-2): Gennaro Bracigliano, Reagan Singh, Marlangki Suting, Cedric Hengbart, Yumnam Raju, Sanju Pradhan, Siam Hanghal, Simao Sabrosa, Silas, Francis Dadzie, Nicolas Velez
Chennaiyin FC (4-3-3): Apoula Edel Bete, Alessandro Potenza, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Mailson Alves, Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte, Elano, Khabra, Thoi Singh, Raphael Augusto, Stiven Mendoza, Jayesh Rane
Key Battles
Cedric Hengbart vs Stiven Mendoza
Mendoza will be the biggest headache for the NEUFC defence. The Colombian scored twice within eight minutes in the second half against Mumbai City to give Chennaiyin a crucial victory. The home team must be cautious of Mendoza’s lethal shots and pace.
But he should keep an eye on NEUFC’s Hengbart in defence. He made some crucial blocks and was the only one who held the entire defence together.
Elano Blumer vs Siam Hanghal
Elano would be another player to watch out for against NEUFC. He has combined really well with Thoi Singh in the midfield and has been creating a number of chances for Chennaiyin. NEUFC should be very cautious with fouls as anything near the box can be very lethal with Blumer taking the free kick.
One way of keeping Blumer quiet would be to mark him and Siam Hanghal can do the job very well for NEUFC.
Prediction
NEUFC 0-2 Chennaiyin FC