NorthEast United FC will look to do the double over visiting Mumbai City FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in a highly anticipated encounter on Wednesday. Having beaten Mumbai 0-2 in their previous encounter, head coach Ricki Herbert will be looking to bow out of the Hero Indian Super League with all guns blazing. Having overcome Kolkata in a gritty and tense match, Mumbai City head coach Peter Reid will also look to add gloss to a disappointing campaign.Following a 2-2 tie between Chennaiyin FC and Delhi Dynamos FC on Tuesday evening, the Highlanders are out of the fray and will be playing for pride only while Mumbai can squeeze through with only a near impossible turn of events.Form guide (most recent matches first)NorthEast United FC: DLWLLMumbai City FC: WLLLD Durga Boro vs Manuel FriedrichThe local lad helped NorthEast claim an important victory against Chennaiyin FC and has enjoyed some of his best form when played upfront by Herbert. Possessing pace and a hammer of a right foot, Boro will have to get past Mumbai City’s former German international defender Manuel Friedrich. Apart from organising his defence and leading by example, the former Borussia Dortmund star nodded home the match-winning goal against Kolkata. It will be Boro’s tenacity against Friedrich’s experience.Joan Capdevila vs Lalrindika RalteThe Spanish World Cup winner will have to bring all his defensive positioning skills into play in order to deal with Mumbai City’s inform midfielder Ralte. ‘Didika’ broke his scoring drought against Kolkata with a well taken goal and his unpredictable movement will cause the NorthEast United defence a few problems. Adept at drifting into the centre and taking up goalscoring positions, Capdevila will have to snuff out the potential dangers that this talented youngster can pose.Kondwani Mtonga vs Jan ŠtohanzlAn interesting midfield battle is likely to erupt when these two players clash in the middle. Mtonga scored an important goal for NorthEast United the last time these sides met and consigned Mumbai City to a defeat. The former Zambian international has been churning out consistent performances ever since and will be keen to continue his good run. Much will rest on Štohanzl, Mumbai’s dynamic and versatile midfielder, who will have to stem Mtonga’s threats and take the battle to the rival camp. Players to watchNorthEast United FCKoke – The Spaniard has been the main attacking player of the Highlanders. The talismanic playmaker has three goals and four assists to his name and will look to add to that tally. His main strengths are his ability to hold the ball and provide an accurate final pass and he will do all he can to help his side finish on the winning side.Mumbai City FCJohan Letzelter - The Frenchman has gone about his job without fuss and almost invisibly. Often the one doing the dirty work of tidying up the midfield and breaking up play, Letzelter will have an important role to essay in this contest. Relying on his physical strength and ability to push forward to support attacks, Letzelter will be an important cog in Mumbai’s wheel.Team speakNorthEast United FCRicki Herbert (head coach): “We want a win to send the fans home with a smile on their faces.”Mumbai City FCPeter Reid (head coach): “We will definitely look to win, make no mistake about that.”
