Mumbai, December 29: Mumbai City FC will host NorthEast United FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on December 30, Monday, at the Mumbai Football Arena at 7:30 pm IST.
Mumbai City FC are fifth in the points table with 20 points from 12 games, while NorthEast United FC are in sixth place, having accumulated 18 points from 12 matches. Mumbai City FC come into this clash after having won three of their last five matches, while NorthEast United FC have secured two wins and losses each in the same span.
This will be the 21st ISL meeting between the two sides, with Mumbai City FC aiming to continue their dominance against NorthEast United FC. Mumbai City FC are unbeaten in their last six ISL encounters with NorthEast United FC (W4 D2), winning each of the last four.
The two teams have embraced slightly opposite playing philosophies this year. The Highlanders have scored 26 goals, only behind Bengaluru FC’s 27 and tied with the Mariners in the same metric. Whereas, Mumbai City FC have found the back of the net the fourth-least times in the competition (15). However, the home team has been more consistent defensively, keeping five clean sheets and conceding 13 goals, as opposed to the two clean sheets of the NorthEast United FC, who have conceded 20 strikes.
Will the Highlanders’ offensive prowess discover a breakthrough past the cohesive Mumbai City FC defence?
Mumbai City FC’s home strength
• Home dominance: Mumbai City FC have notched four goals in each of their last two home games against NorthEast United FC (4-0 on January 19, 2023, and 4-1 on March 12, 2024), which is a feat that they have achieved against no other team. Will the Highlanders be at the receiving end of another offensive onslaught by the Islanders?
• Defensive form: Mumbai City FC have kept clean sheets in their last four ISL matches, winning three of them. Another clean sheet against NorthEast United FC will see them equal their longest such streak in ISL history (five matches in November 2014). Their robust defensive foundation has laid the groundwork for their overall playing style this season.
NorthEast United FC’s away resilience
• Positive away record: NorthEast United FC have lost just one of their last five away matches (W2 D2), scoring multiple goals in four of them. They have scored 12 goals during this run, displaying a refined attacking approach on the road. Can they bring their A-game to the table against the sound Mumbai City FC backline?
• Quick starts: The Highlanders have scored a league-high eight goals in the opening 15 minutes of matches this season. However, their defence has been shaky, conceding four goals during the same phase. Head coach Juan Pedro Benali will have to find a way to ensure that his team doesn’t lose their shape and structure at the back in their quest for early goals.
Head-to-Head
In their 20 encounters so far, Mumbai City FC have won 11 matches, NorthEast United FC have won five, and four games have resulted in draws.
Coach’s Corner
“We have to eliminate the chances for the opponents”
Mumbai City FC head coach Petr Kratky expressed that his team needs to consistently follow the processes that they have been doing so far.
“We need to play well, defend properly, the people who are coming off the bench have to do well too. We have to eliminate the chances for the opponents,” Kratky said.
“We need to focus on our plans”
NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali said that his team will have to stay true to their playing style.
“Every game is totally different. This team (Mumbai a city FC) have very different players and style of play. We need to focus on our plans, our style, our game plan,” Benali said.
Key Players & Milestones
• NorthEast United FC’s Buanthanglun Samte made 14 crosses in his last game (vs Hyderabad FC on December 23, 2024), the most by any Indian player in a single game this season. His cross accuracy rate of 38.3% is the highest among Indians with 30+ attempts.
• NorthEast United FC’s Jithin MS is one assist away from equalling Federico Gallego’s (2020-21) record of six assists in a single season for NorthEast United FC. He has been a key creative outlet for the Highlanders in the current campaign.
• Mumbai City FC’s Tiri’s duel success rate of 72.2% is the second-best among players with 50+ duel involvements this season. He won all nine duels in his last match against Chennaiyin FC. His consistent efforts in the defensive line have ensured that the Islanders have held their composure at the back and built positively for their offensive moves.
ISL Fantasy
Mehtab Singh (5.6cr)
The defender has earned the highest ISL fantasy points (85) for Mumbai City FC this season
Alaaeddine Ajaraie (8.3cr)
The striker has bagged the most ISL fantasy points (94) for NorthEast United FC in 2024-25
The Indian Super League will be streamed live on JioCinema (English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam) and telecast live on Sports 18 – 3 (English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam), Asianet Plus (Malayalam). Additionally, select ISL matches will be telecast live on Sports 18 – 1, Sports 18 – 2, Sports 18 – Khel, and Star Sports 3.
