Guwahati, January 28: NorthEast United FC will host Hyderabad FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on January 29, Wednesday, at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati, starting at 7:30 pm IST.
NorthEast United FC are currently sixth in the points table, with 25 points from 17 matches, having won six games and drawn seven. Hyderabad FC, on the other hand, are placed at the penultimate spot with 13 points from 17 matches, with three wins and four draws. The Highlanders are facing stiff competition from Odisha FC (24), Kerala Blasters FC (21), and Punjab FC (20), who follow them respectively in the standings.
The Highlanders are looking to register consecutive wins over Hyderabad FC for the first time in ISL history, having beaten them 5-2 in the reverse fixture earlier this season. A triumph in this encounter would also mark NorthEast United FC’s first league double over Hyderabad FC.
However, the Highlanders are struggling at home, remaining winless in their last four home games (D3 L1), including three consecutive draws. They will need to reverse this trend to bolster their charge for a top-six finish. The last time they underwent a longer winless home streak in a single season was in 2022 when they faced five straight defeats.
Hyderabad FC are entering the match on the back of a 3-2 victory over Jamshedpur FC, furthering their unbeaten stretch to three games (W1 D2). The team will be looking to bag back-to-back wins for the first time since their five-game winning sequence in the 2022-23 season. Hyderabad FC’s recent scoring form, netting in each of their last three matches, reflects positivity, especially after they were unable to find the back of the net in nine of their first 14 games this season.
The Highlanders are the fourth-highest scoring team in the league, netting 31 times in 17 encounters. Alaaeddine Ajaraie has been a trump card for them with 15 goals, whereas Guillermo Fernandes and Nestor Albiach follow him with four strikes each. Hyderabad FC are the second-least scoring team in the competition with 15 goals. Together, Andrei Alba and Allan De Souza Miranda have been the sole consistent candidates for them upfront, since they have struck thrice each – the highest in the team. Jithin MS and Ajaraie’s five assists each too have been a critical component of NorthEast United FC’s frontline plays.
NorthEast United FC’s Offensive Numbers
* Creative Fulcrum: NorthEast United FC have averaged 70 final third entries per game this season, the highest in the league. The entire unit has come about cohesively to carry out their offensive plans with sheer consistency.
* Midfield Powerhouse: Mohammed Bemammer has produced 234 forward passes in the opposition half, the third-highest tally this season. Overall, he has averaged 37 passes per game at 69% accuracy, creating 15 goal-scoring chances, making 13 interceptions, 25 clearances, and winning 63 duels this season.
Hyderabad FC’s Tactical Insights
* Consistent Discipline: Hyderabad FC have given away the fewest fouls this season (141), demonstrating their tendency to hold composure under pressure. This limits the chances of the opponents to score from set-pieces, which will be of great use against a team having a lethal striker like Ajaraie in their ranks.
* Resurgent Frontline: Hyderabad FC have gotten back their scoring touch, with six of their 15 goals of the campaign coming in their last five matches. In fact, their 3-2 win against Jamshedpur FC was only the fourth match in this campaign when they struck multiple goals in a game.
Head-to-Head
The two teams have faced each other 11 times in the ISL, with Hyderabad FC winning six games, and NorthEast United FC emerging victorious twice. Three encounters have produced draws.
Coach’s Corner
“It’s a final for us”
NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali asserted the magnitude of this match for his team.
“It’s a final for us and we need to work hard and get the points. It’s a final for them too, because they’re a good team and they don’t want to be down,” he said.
“The victory was a big positive for us”
Hyderabad FC interim head coach Shameel Chembakath said that his team has taken significant confidence from their win in the last match.
“The victory was a big positive for us, especially at home. However, the confidence boost that it has given us is even more important,” he said.
Key Players & Milestones
* NorthEast United FC’s Nestor Albiach’s contributions cannot go under the radar. In addition to his four goals, he has averaged 20 passes per game this season at 75% accuracy, making 48 recoveries, emerging victorious in 51 duels, and completing seven successful dribbles, while not getting booked even once.
* With six goal contributions this season (1G, 5A), Jithin MS is one away from equaling his best single-season tally of seven, which he recorded in 2023-24. Jithin has recorded 17 successful dribbles, made 25 key passes, and has touched the ball in the opposition’s box 54 times, displaying his involvement in the final third.
* Hyderabad FC’s Ramhlunchhunga has completed 5+ dribbles in six games this season, the most by any player in the league. He has created 21 goal-scoring chances and notched three assists in ISL 2024-25.
ISL Fantasy
Alaaeddine Ajaraie (8.4cr)
The NEUFC star has earned the most ISL fantasy points (120) for his team this season
Andrei Alba (4.9cr)
The Hyderabad FC star has bagged 77 ISL fantasy points – the highest for his team 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.