NorthEast United FC will be looking to register consecutive wins at home in Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2019-20 when they welcome FC Goa to the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Friday, November 1. The Highlanders picked up their first win of the season in their last game and they will be eager to claim back-to-back victories in front of their passionate home crowd to strengthen their position in the top four.

FC Goa, meanwhile, have just as many points as NorthEast – four – from their two games so far, albeit with a better goal-difference. Friday’s clash will be the Gaurs’ first away match of the season and they will be keen to return to winning ways after a 1-1 draw at home in their previous outing.

NorthEast United FC

The Highlanders bagged maximum points at home last time around thanks to an 84th minute winner by their talisman Asamoah Gyan, who announced his arrival to the league with a clinical finish. Needless to say, the Ghanaian legend will be a handful for Goa’s defence along with his strike partner Martin Chaves. Midfielders Panagiotis Triadis and Redeem Tlang will be looking to improve on their performances after an assist and goal respectively in NorthEast’s last game.

Jose Leudo and Milan Singh also need to be sharp and switched on in midfield against FC Goa’s tenacious midfielders. On the defensive front, the Highlanders’ backline has looked relatively settled and have conceded just one from their opening two games. The likes of Reagan Singh, Heerings Kai, Wayne Vaz and Rakesh Pradhan seem to be developing a good understanding between them, making it difficult for any attacker to get the better of NorthEast’s backline.

FC Goa

Like NorthEast, Goa have four points from two games after a win and a draw from their opening two fixtures. The Gaurs though will want to secure maximum points against NorthEast after a hard-fought draw against reigning champions Bengaluru FC last time around. Hero ISL’s all-time leading goal-scorer Ferran Corominas will be looking to get on the scoresheet for a third game in a row, while Manvir Singh will be looking to make an impact as well having put in good displays in Goa’s opening two matches.

However, the Gaurs must remain wary of NorthEast’s attacking threats and have to be compact in midfield as well as defence. Brandon Fernandes and Seiminlen Doungel will look to provide some creativity from the center of the park, while Ahmed Jahouh and Lenny Rodrigues will look to break down opposition attacks. Their formidable centre-back pairing of Mourtada Fall and Carlos Pena and marauding full-backs Seriton Fernandes and Mandar Rao Dessai will also have a role to play on both ends of the pitch. Even though defending will be their main focus, neither Dessai nor Seriton need a second invitation to gallop forward. The same can be said about Fall and Pena when it comes to set-piece situations.     

NorthEast United FC: Subhasish Roy (GK), Provat Lakra, Kai Heerings, Rakesh Pradhan, Reagan Singh, Jose Leudo, Lalthathanga Khawlhring, Redeem Tlang, Panagiotis Triadis, Martin Chaves, Asamoah Gyan

FC Goa: Mohammad Nawaz (GK), Carlos Pena, Seriton Fernandes, Mourtada Fall, Mandar Rao Dessai, Lenny Rodrigues, Ahmed Jahouh, Brandon Fernandes, Seiminlen Doungel, Ferran Corominas, Manvir Singh

DID YOU KNOW?

• NorthEast United are unbeaten in their last seven home matches.
• Since last season, FC Goa have scored 17 goals from crosses – the highest in the division.
• If selected, Ferran Corominas will play his 50^th match for FC Goa. He has 59 goal contributions so far.

Fan Speak:

Will Goa be able to halt Robert Jarni’s NorthEast revolution?

• Yes
• No

Have your say in the comments section below.

Live broadcast schedule:

Hero ISL 2019-20 Match 13: NorthEast United FC vs FC Goa

Time: 7:30 PM onwards, November 1st

Channels: Star Sports Network

Streaming: Hotstar and Jio TV