Chennaiyin FC welcome NorthEast United FC to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Thursday for both their second fixture of Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18. Chennai forged a strong fightback in the second half of their opening encounter against FC Goa, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a 3-2 defeat. The Highlanders, on the other hand, will be disappointed not to have bagged maximum points in their season opener against debutants Jamshedpur FC. A combination of profligacy in front of goal and their inability to take advantage of an extra man late on meant that they had to settle for a draw.

Head to Head

Chennaiyin FC 1-3 NorthEast United FC. 2 draws

KEY PLAYERS

Raphael Augusto (Chennaiyin FC)

The Brazilian remains one of Chennai’s most important players in the heart of midfield in what is his third season with the club. Calm with the ball at his feet, he has the ability to link play with his deft passes. A physical presence as well, he plays a pivotal role in breaking down opposition attacks before they reach the final third. He scored from the spot in the last match and will be looking to dominate the midfield area against NorthEast.

Marcinho (NorthEast United FC)

NorthEast’s talisman Marcinho sliced open Jamshedpur’s formidable defence several times in their previous match, where he was adjudged Hero of the Match. He was unlucky not to have scored, having clipped the bar with a header from one of his numerous attempts. The Brazilian also demonstrated his pace and ability to skip past defenders against Jamshedpur, even though he failed to get on the score-sheet, which he’ll be itching to be on sooner rather than later.

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUP

Chennaiyin FC

The home team may start with a traditional 4-4-2 formation, keeping Augusto at the heart of the action, with Jeje Lalpekhlua as the focal point in attack.

Goalkeeper- Karanjit Singh

Defenders- Dhanachandra Singh, Henrique Sereno, Mailson Alves, Inigo Calderon

Midfielders- Jerry Lalrinzuala, Thoi Singh, Raphael Augusto, Gregory Nelson

Forwards- Jeje Lalpekhlua, Boaringdao Bodo

Chennai’s head coach, John Gregory on his team’s chances in comparison to the others, “Any team on any given day can beat anyone else in ISL. I think the competition is as it was in the previous three years, there’s not a lot to choose between each team. Sometimes they are erratic, sometimes they are brilliant, and I think that’s the ISL in a nutshell.”

NorthEast United FC

The Highlanders will most probably lineup in an attack-minded 4-3-3 formation, giving leverage to Marcinho.

Goalkeeper- TP Rehenesh

Defenders- Abdul Hakku, Martin Diaz, Sambinha, Robert Lalthlamuana

Midfielders- Lalrindika Ralte, Marcinho, Fanai Lalrempuia

Forwards- Halicharan Narzary, Luis Alfonso Paez, Seiminlen Doungel

Highlanders' coach, Joao de Deus seemed confident about his team’s chances this season, “Nothing to worry about the fact that we didn’t score. I know that at the end of the league, NorthEast is going to have the top goal-scorer of the league.”

KEY STATS

NorthEast are unbeaten in all their away fixtures against Chennaiyin, with their only defeat from six matches against them coming in Guwahati last season.

LAST MEETING

Chennaiyin FC 3-3 NorthEast United FC (26th November 2016 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai)