ISL 2017, Match 35: FC Pune City vs NorthEast United FC, Probable XI
FC Pune City are all set to host NorthEast United FC in their 5th home fixture of ISL 2017 at Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune. The Highlanders have the upper hand over the Stallions historically by winning three head-to-head’s in comparison to 2 by Pune.
FC Pune City are struggling to dominate at home as they have lost all three of their home games. Coming at the back of an important win against the table-toppers, FC Goa will surely give confidence to the Stallions to do better at home.
On the other side, NorthEast United are coming here at the back of three consecutive losses, out of which, two came while playing at home. The Highlanders are currently at the 9th spot in the points table with just 1 win in 6 games and will look to change this around quickly.
FC Pune City
After Ranko Popovic was handed a four-game ban, FC Pune City will be the first team to play without touchline instructions from head-coach in ISL 2017. Despite the failure at home, the assistant coach Vladica Grujic is quite confident of his side and their performance at home. He is confident of a home victory against the struggling NorthEast United.
With Baljit Sahni available for selection, we are expecting him and Issac to replace Ashique and Sarthak in the starting XI. The Stallions will most probably stick to their regular formation of 4-2-3-1 with Baljit playing a role of wing back.
FC Pune City Probable Starting XI: Vishal, Gurtej, Rafael, Fanai, Baljit, Tebar, Adil, Carlos, Issac, Marcelinho, Alfaro.
NorthEast United FC
NorthEast United FC head coach Joao de Deus is desperately looking to end their 3-game losing streak. He is confident of his side and their performance on the field but expressed the need to avoid conceding easy set-pieces. However, he is quite aware of the attacking abilities of FC Pune City duo of Marcelinho and Alfaro.
With TP Rehenesh fit and likely to make it to the starting XI along with Danilo Lopes in place of Alfonso and Ravi Kumar, the Portuguese head coach is expected to continue his favoured formation of 4-2-3-1 to keep a balance in attack and defence.
NorthEast United FC Probable Starting XI: TP Rehenesh, Nirmal, Jose, Sambinha, Reagan, Borges, Diaz, Narzary, Marcinho, Doungel, Lopes.
Prediction
FC Pune City 3-1 NorthEast United FC
The deadly duo of FC Pune City is expected to dominate the proceedings against the struggling NorthEast United. We are expecting FC Pune City to take home all 3 points to claim the 2nd spot in the league table.