Confident Jamshedpur welcome unbeaten NorthEast

After securing three points in Goa, Jamshedpur FC return home for the visit of NorthEast United FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Monday. Both teams have made good starts to their respective campaigns with the hosts taking 10 points from five games, while NorthEast have managed one point less having played the same number of matches. However, despite being below Jamshedpur in the standings, NorthEast are unbeaten in Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2019-20 and it will be interesting to see if they can maintain that record after Monday’s clash.

Jamshedpur FC

Antonio Iriondo’s men have looked impressive this season and will be confident after coming away with a deserved win against Goa. They are unbeaten at home so far having taken seven points from a possible nine and will fancy their chances on Monday with the firepower they possess up front.

Talisman Sergio Castel along with Farukh Choudhary have looked their most potent threat going forward and they will be hoping CK Vineeth, who is returning to match sharpness, can also soon rediscover his best form to complement them. In midfield, Aitor Monroy, Memo Moura and Noe Acosta, have all looked solid but the injured Piti has unarguably been their most creative option.

In defence, the backline of Robin Gurung, Tiri, Narendra Gehlot and Jitendra Singh managed a clean sheet against Goa’s formidable attack last time around, making any change in the defence for the upcoming clash forced and unlikely.

NorthEast United FC

The Highlanders, on the other hand, are yet to concede on the road this campaign and fans can rest assured that keeping a clean sheet will be their primary objective against Jamshedpur. Robert Jarni’s men have taken four points from the six available on their travels so far and will back themselves to add to that tally with Asamoah Gyan spearheading the frontline.

The Ghanaian legend’s all-round game has been crucial to NorthEast but he’s yet to score on the road this season and that’s something he’ll be looking to change at the earliest. He’ll be hoping for good service from strike partner Martin Chaves as well as Panagiotis Triadis and Redeem Tlang, who’ve been their most creative midfielders.

With defender Kai Heerings still serving suspension, Mislav Komorski will probably be partnered by Nim Dorjee in the centre-back positions, making Jose Leudo and Milan Singh’s defensive responsibilities from midfield even more important. Full-backs Reagan Singh and Rakesh Pradhan will have a role to play as well and can be expected to provide width in attacks.

Probable line-ups:

Jamshedpur FC: Subrata Paul (GK), Tiri, Joyner Lourenco, Memo Moura, Jitendra Singh, Narendra Gehlot, Aitor Monroy, Robin Gurung, Farukh Choudhary, CK Vineeth, Sergio Castel

NorthEast United FC: Subhasish Roy (GK), Mislav Komorski, Nim Dorjee, Rakesh Pradhan, Reagan Singh, Jose Leudo, Panagiotis Triadis, Redeem Tlang, Martin Chaves, Milan Singh, Asamoah Gyan

DID YOU KNOW?

NorthEast United have won none and scored just 1 goal in 4 matches against Jamshedpur FC.
Jamshedpur FC have lost just 1 of their last 12 home matches.
The fixture between NorthEast United and Jamshedpur FC has seen only 3 goals scored in 4 matches.

Fan Speak:

Which striker will have the biggest impact on the tie?