NorthEast United got a week's rest before Friday's fixture against Atletico de Kolkata, but it doesn't help matters as they have Romaric and Nicolas Velez out injured. The Highlanders, though, are at the top of the table but like every team in the Indian Super League, consistency has been hard to come by and they have only got one point from their last two games.
It has not helped United that for the sheer amount of chances they have created, there has been very little end product and one suspects that there seems to be an over-reliance on striker Emiliano Alfaro. Katsumi Yusa, who has had experience playing in India in the past, has been below par in front of goal, and it is time for the Japanese attacking midfielder to lend more bite to the United attacks. Yusa has shown tendency to get into promising goal-scoring positions but there is a lot to be desired from his finishing.
Where Portuguese coach Nelo Vingada has succeeded with his side is the way he has attempted to strengthen United's spine. While this transition will take time for it to come to fruition, United have already looked solid at the back, conceding just three goals in six games. In Subrata Paul, have a reliable shot-stopper, too.
A win here will take Atletico de Kolkata to the second place in the league. Despite having Javi Lara, Sameehg Doutie, and ISL's all-time leading goal scorer Iain Hume in attack, Kolkata have struggled to score goals. However, they do come into the game on the back of a win.
Romaric has been influential in stitching the midfield the forward line. Velez's trickery and pace has flummoxed many a defender. Having these two out, give Kolkata a slight edge, atleast attack-wise. There is every chance that both teams could end up cancelling each other out, despite previous encounters between the two teams having been anything but dull.
Match Facts
Venue: Indira Gandhi Stadium, Guwahati
Capacity: 35,000
Time: 7 pm IST
Last meeting: Atletico de Kolkata 0-1 NorthEast United, 7th November, 2015 at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
Head-to-head: Matches: 4, NorthEast wins: 2, Atletico wins: 2
Key Battles
Iain Hume vs Didier Zokora
The experienced Ivorian has been shuttling in and out of the starting XI but he is expected to start today. In Iain Hume, he meets an opponent who can do a lot more than just score. A busy customer, the Kolkata forward drops deep, wins possession and pops up on either flank to influence proceedings.
Even during his stint with FC Pune City, Zokora was one of the more settled players in the side. The 33-year-old has seldom been caught of out position. This duel may go on to shape the outcome of the game, as time progresses in the contest.
Emiliano Alfaro vs Tiri
The Kolkata defender is an intelligent reader of the ball. Despite not being an imposing physical presence, Tiri has warded off bigger frontmen. In Alfaro, he meets an opponent who likes to play off the shoulders of defenders. The Uruguyan has got off to a solid start in ISL, quickly gaining a reputation of being one of the more dangerous attackers across teams.
Expected lineups:
NorthEast United: Subrata Paul, Nirmal Chhetri, Didier Zokora, Gustavo, Shouvik Ghosh; Seityasen Singh, Wellington Priori; Holicharan Narzary, Katsumi Yusa, Robert Cullen; Emiliano Alfaro
Atletico de Kolkata: Debjit Majumder; Pritam Kotal, Arnab Mondal, Tiri, Prabir Das; Lalrindika Ralte, Javi Lara, Sameehg Doutie; Iain Hume
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