Guwahati, January 2: NorthEast United FC will host Mohammedan SC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on January 3, Friday, at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati at 7:30 pm IST.
NorthEast United FC are enjoying a strong campaign, currently in the top half of the table, while Mohammedan SC are languishing at the bottom, having collected only six points from their 13 matches. The Highlanders enter this fixture buoyed by a commanding 3-0 victory over Mumbai City FC in their last game, while the visitors continue to struggle, with three consecutive away defeats.
This will be the second ISL meeting between the two sides and a win here will see the Highlanders complete a league double for the first time since the 2020-21 season.
The two teams present contrasting fortunes in the league. NorthEast United FC have been effective in converting their big chances, scoring 15 goals from 27 such opportunities. Overall, the home team has netted (29) the most times in the competition this far. Mohammedan SC have struggled in front of goal too, and 16 of their 22 goals conceded have come in the second half of matches.
For NorthEast United FC, this is an opportunity to not let loose of the rhythm they have gotten after the massive win on the road against the Islanders. They will be hoping to notch the maximum points in this encounter so that they move higher than the fourth spot that they occupy currently.
Will Mohammedan SC manage to stage an upset in this encounter?
NorthEast United FC’s consistency
* Strong Finishers: NorthEast United FC have excelled upfront, and Alaaeddine Ajaraie has been a key player in the attack, with 87 touches in the opposition box across 13 games, and registering 14 goals overall. He has been well supported by Guillermo Fernández and Nestor Albiach too, both of whom have scored four goals each.
* Home Comfort: The Highlanders are determined to bounce back at home after failing to score in their last home game. They will look to avoid consecutive home-game goalless streaks, which last occurred between December 2019 and February 2020. In contrast, Mohammedan SC have conceded six goals in their last three matches.
Mohammedan SC’s struggles in both departments
* Poor Form: Mohammedan SC have managed just one win in 13 games this season and are on the verge of matching Hyderabad FC’s record (6 points in 14 games in 2019-20) for the lowest points tally after 14 games in ISL history. Can the team capitalise on their learning acquired so far to deliver an inspired performance tomorrow?
* Defensive Frailties: Despite conceding the fewest first-half goals this season (6), Mohammedan SC have been vulnerable in the second half, as aforementioned, showing that the team could arguably do with some key defensive reinforcements as the game progresses so that they can upkeep the intensity of the matches and not succumb to late goal-scoring endeavours by their opponents.
Head-to-Head
In their one previous encounter, NorthEast United FC emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win.
Coaches Corner
“We need to be calmer”
NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali opened up on the areas of the game he would want his team to sustain and improve in the coming matches this year.
“Our handling of pressure moments, focus, and the experience that we took are things we take into 2025. Now onwards, we need to be try to be calmer too,” Benali said.
“NEUFC are one of the best teams in the league”
Mohammedan SC head coach Andrey Chernyshov appreciated NorthEast United FC for their progress and success of late.
“NorthEast United FC did some great results last season and now they’re in the top half of the table. They also won the Durand Cup and they’re one of the best teams in the league now, as shown by their 3-0 win against Mumbai City FC,” Chernyshov said.
Key Players & Milestones
* NorthEast United FC’s Muthu Mayakkannan’s defensive efforts, including 34 tackle attempts and 20 tackles won, have been important in the team’s performances this season. The home team will rely on him to break Mohammedan SC’s attacking moves and reinitiate their offensive plays consistently.
* Mohammedan SC’s Alexis Gomez averages 2.58 shots from outside the box per game, the highest in the league, but is yet to score from such efforts this season. Can he explore breaking into the box and trying his luck from closer distances, or should Gomez stay true to his natural style of threatening the goal?
* Mohammedan SC goalkeeper Padam Chhetri has enabled the team to keep two clean sheets in his seven appearances this season. He has punched twice, made three catches, 13 clearances, and 75 successful distributions, also passing 32 times on an average per game at 64% accuracy.
ISL Fantasy
Alaaeddine Ajaraie (8.4cr)
The striker has earned the most ISL fantasy points (103) for NEUFC this season
Alexis Gomez (6.3cr)
He ranks second amongst foreigners in Mohammedan SC to earn most fantasy points (47) this season
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.
