In-form NorthEast United face an unbeaten Delhi in the latter's first home game this season.

Gianluca Zambrotta should continue with his 4-3-3 formation, and may make a couple of changes to the side that drew 0-0 with the Kerala Blasters. The Blasters had a right go at Delhi and might have even snatched the three points and that will have the Italian manager worried.

Badara Badji was given a start following his opening day goal but the 22-year old Senegalese striker struggled up front and should make way for Richard Gadze. Milan Singh was also poor in the last match and could struggle to make the line-up this time around.

Advertisement

Marcelinho and Kean Lewis should start on either side of Gadze with marquee player Florent Malouda starting in midfield.

NorthEast have made the ideal start to the third season of ISL campaign where they look to make the play-offs for the first time.

Coach Nelo Vingada has seen his side climb to the top of the standings with nine points from four matches, with three wins so far.

The "Professor" will be wary about the effects of fatigue on his team's performance as NorthEast play their fifth game in 15 days. But Delhi Dynamos possess a significant threat on the counter-attack and Vingada may choose not to significantly alter his squad for this match.

Advertisement

The suspended Nirmal Chhetri will have to be replaced and Reagan Singh should slot in at right-back in an otherwise unchanged line-up.

Match Facts

Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi

Capacity: 60,000

Time: 7 pm IST.

Last meeting: NorthEast United 1 - 2 Delhi Dynamos, November 28, 2015, at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, Guwahati

Head-to-head: Matches played: 4. NorthEast wins: 0, Delhi wins: 2, Draws: 2

Key Battles

Marcelinho vs Reagan Singh: The Brazilian winger has been impressive in his two games till date, and may look to attack the right-side of the visitors' defence. Has two goals to his name in this year's tournament.

Advertisement

Reagan will have a tough time containing the tricky Brazilian if he does decide to play as a left-winger. Was beaten by Arata Izumi in his side's last game.

Ruben vs Emiliano Alfaro: The Spaniard has stepped up as the leader of Delhi's defence after Anas Edathodika got injured. Kept the defensive line together in a top quality performance against the Blasters.

Alfaro, the Uruguayan has scored three goals in four games for NorthEast so far and will pose a threat to any defence in the league. Has shown good link-up play with Katsumi Yusa and Nicolas Velez.

Advertisement

Expected Line-ups

Delhi Dynamos FC: Antonio Doblas Santana; Ruben Gonzalez Rocha, Chinglesana Konsham Singh, Lalchhawnkima, Souvik Chakraborty; Florent Malouda, Marcos Tebar, Milan Singh; Richard Gadze, Marcelinho, Kean Lewis

NorthEast United FC: Subrata Paul; Shouvik Ghosh, Reagan Singh, Gustavo Lazzaretti, Didier Zokora; Holicharan Narzary, Katsumi Yusa, Rowllin Borges, Romaric, Nicolas Velez; Emiliano Alfaro