Last year’s semi-finalists Delhi Dynamos FC are ready to play their first home game of the 2016 Hero Indian Super League as they host an in-form NorthEast United FC side at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday evening. The Highlanders have won three out of their four matches and look solid this year under Nelo Vingada. Delhi themselves are not much behind, having won and drawn against defending champions Chennaiyin FC (3-1) and Kerala Blasters FC (0-0) respectively. With both sides high on confidence, the stage is set for a thrilling encounter.

Head-to-head: Delhi are yet to beat the Highlanders in their own backyard as their previous two matches in the capital city ended in 0-0 and 1-1 draws in Hero ISL 2014 and Hero ISL 2015. However, every time the Lions have travelled to Guwahati they have emerged victorious. They beat NorthEast 2-1 in 2014 and did a repeat in 2015 with the similar score-line.

Form Guide (last five matches):

Delhi Dynamos FC: L-W-L-W-D

NorthEast United FC: W-W-W-L-W

Ruben Rocha vs Emiliano Alfaro

Ruben Rocha will have to put in a performance similar to the one he produced against Kerala Blasters FC if the Lions want to neutralize a high-flying NorthEast outfit. The veteran Spaniard was at the top of his game against the Blasters as he marshalled a Delhi backline without Anas Edathodika – who was out due to injury – to their first clean sheet of the season. He has completed three successful tackles, five interceptions and eight clearances in Hero ISL 2016 so far.

Emiliano Alfaro has taken to India’s biggest footballing extravaganza like a duck to water. The Uruguayan frontman has netted three times in four games for the Highlanders and will have to be kept quiet if the Dynamos want to maintain their unbeaten start to the season. Alfaro is also more than capable of creating goal-scoring chances himself as his intrinsic play with the likes of Katsumi Yusa and Nicolas Velez on the edge of FC Pune City’s penalty area in NorthEast’s last encounter demonstrated.

Florent Malouda vs Katsumi Yusa

Joint top assists provider (8) last year, Florent Malouda can be expected to hit top form as the league gathers pace after a relatively slow start to the season when compared to the French talisman’s high standards. The former UEFA Champions League winner will be looking to mark his first match at home this year with a big performance. Dangerous from set-pieces, Malouda will have to be kept on a tight leash come Saturday.

One of the most energetic players on the pitch, Yusa has become one of the first names on Vingada’s team-sheets this year. The Japanese playmaker’s adaptability that sees him interchange effortlessly across the midfield and defence helped the Highlanders a great deal against Pune City. He has already notched up a goal and an assist in his four games for NorthEast so far.

Marcelinho vs Gustavo Lazzaretti

Marcelinho has been the Dynamos’ most potent attacking threat this year. The Brazilian winger’s exceptional technical ability and his clinical finishing will be key for his team against NorthEast. Primarily a winger, it won’t be much of a surprise if Marcelinho is the furthest forward on the pitch for the Lions on Saturday. His pace will be crucial for Delhi if they’re to register their second win of the season under Gianluca Zambrotta.

NorthEast skipper Gustavo Lazzaretti is expected to be busy when he comes up against a Delhi attack playing their first match at home. The Brazilian centre-back has started all four matches for Highlanders this year and has been a crucial figure in his side’s solid defence in Hero ISL 2016. He has made one block, two successful tackles, six interceptions and 16 clearances thus far.

Squads:

Delhi Dynamos FC: Antonio Doblas Santana, Sanjiban Ghosh, Soram Poirei, Ruben Gonzalez Rocha, David Addy, Ibrahima Niasse, Anas Edathodika, Chinglesana Konsham Singh, Lalchhawnkima, Lalruatthara, Rupert Nongrum, Souvik Chakraborty, Florent Malouda, Bruno Augusto Pelissari de Lima, Marcos Tebar, Emerson Gomes de Moura, Denson Devadas, Milan Singh, Malsawmzuala, Richard Gadze, Badara Badji, Arjun Tudu, Marcelo Leite Pereira, Kean Lewis, Amoes Do

NorthEast United FC: Subrata Paul, TP Rehenesh, Wellington Gomes, Salam Ranjan Singh, Nirmal Chettri, Shouvik Ghosh, Robin Gurung, Reagan Singh, Mailson Alves, Gustavo Lazzaretti, Didier Zokora, Fanai Lalrempuia, Holicharan Narzary, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Katsumi Yusa, Koffi Christian N'dri, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Rowllin Borges, Seityasen Singh, Wellington Priori, Romaric, Emiliano Alfaro, Nicolas Velez, Sasha Aneff, Robert Cullen, Sumeet Passi