NorthEast United FC take on Delhi Dynamos FC in a critical game on their home patch at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Monday. Having suffered a defeat at the hands of Atlético de Kolkata in their last outing, Ricki Herbert’s men need to win all their home games at least to ensure they make the top four. For Harm van Veldhoven’s cellar side, every game is a must win situation. Failure to win for either team will seriously dent their qualification dreams.The Highlanders (10 points) have been playing good football and maintain a tight ship but their failure to score has impeded their progress. Delhi Dynamos (7 points) too have been set back by their lack of sharpshooters. They need to get their act together in this tenth round clash before it is too late.Form guide (most recent matches first)NorthEast United FC: LDDLDDelhi Dynamos FC: LLDLLMiguel Garcia vs Mads Junker The Portuguese national has clearly been one of the standout defenders in the league. His domination of aerial duels and vital interceptions have been one of the highlights of the Highlanders’ defensive structure. He will have to carry his form into this vital encounter knowing that the visitors’ Danish striker will be looking to end his goal scoring drought. Good in the air and possessing a commanding presence, the ex-Roda FC forward will certainly give Garcia something to think about.Koke vs Hans Mulder The Spanish playmaker is adept at both creating and scoring and will have to shoulder the main responsibility of sparking a turnaround if his side are to make it to the top four. Occupying the hole behind the striker slot and drifting wide at times, Koke will have to be dealt with by Delhi’s diligent holding midfielder Hans Mulder. A no-nonsense tackler and distributor, the Dutchman will have to take on the mantle of chief disruptor if his team is to neutralise Koke’s threat.Kondwani Mtonga vs Alessandro Del Piero The Zambian international has been churning out a host of impressive performances for the Highlanders. Armed with an accurate passing ability and a sense of being at the right place at the right time, the lanky defensive midfielder will have to keep an eye on Delhi’s marquee man Del Piero whose time is running out to make a decisive impact and steal the show. The Italian legend will be looking to open his account in the tournament and influence proceedings with his fantastic reading of the game. This battle might just prove to be the key one in the context of this clash.Players to watchNorthEast United FCJoan Capdevila – NorthEast United FC’s marquee man has silently gone about his business, putting in one assured performance after another. Forming a solid centre-back pairing with Miguel Garcia, the former World Cup winner will have to use all his experience and guile to keep out a desperate Delhi side who will come out all guns firing. His intelligent positioning and reading of the game will be vital to his side’s performance.Delhi Dynamos FCSteven Dias – The talented winger-midfielder has been one of the standout performers for his side in the league. Hard working and energetic, Dias will be looking to use his excellent crossing abilities to create chances for his strikers to thrive on. Always willing to help out at the back, the versatile former Indian international could use this opportunity to put his best foot forward.Team SpeakNorthEast United FCRicki Herbert (head coach): “We will be looking to play an attacking game. We will also try and put away the chances that we create.” Delhi Dynamos FCHarm van Veldhoven (head coach) – “The gap between the top placed and bottom placed teams is not much. A couple of wins could see us in contention for the top four.”
