Fifth-placed NorthEast United FC host high-flying Delhi Dynamos FC in Match 52 of Hero Indian Super League 2016 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday. The Highlanders have two fixtures remaining and know that a win in both guarantees them a semis spot. Hence, if they manage to see off the Dynamos tomorrow, they will be half-way there. The job will not be easy though, as they have never beaten their opponents in the history of this league. After a poor run of form when they lost four games in a row, Nelo Vingada’s men have now gone unbeaten in their last three matches, picking up five crucial points in the process. The Highlanders showed great character to come back thrice against Chennaiyin FC in their last fixture to pick up a vital point. They will hope they can pick up three points from this crucial fixture. As for Delhi, they can be guaranteed a semis spot even before they take the field if Atlético de Kolkata don’t lose to Kerala Blasters FC on Tuesday. With two games left and a goal difference of +11, the Lions, who also drubbed FC Goa 5-1 in their last match, will be oozing with confidence going into this fixture.Head-to-Head: The inaugural season of the Hero ISL saw the teams play out a goalless draw in Delhi, before the Dynamos got a 2-1 away victory. Hero ISL 2015 witnessed the teams play out a 1-1 draw in the capital city before the Lions again won 2-1 in Guwahati. Earlier this season, the teams played out a 1-1 draw in Delhi.Form Guide (last five matches):NorthEast United FC: L-L-D-W-DDelhi Dynamos FC: W-W-D-L-WMailson Alves vs MarcelinhoMailson Alves has been NorthEast’s pillar at the back this season. The Brazilian centre-back makes key tackles and interceptions, and that helps him keep opposition attackers at bay more often than not. He is also good in the air. Be that as it may, he will be under tremendous pressure to deliver against a dangerous Delhi forwardline.Marcelinho has been nothing short of sensational in the league this season. Not only is he the top-scorer by a long shot with eight goals, he also has the joint-highest number of assists (5) alongside team-mate Florent Malouda and FC Pune City’s Jonatan Lucca. He got a hat-trick in Delhi’s last match against FC Goa and should be high on confidence. He has pace, good ball control and excellent passing sense. The Brazilian will definitely want to score some more in this fixture.Katsumi Yusa vs Florent MaloudaKatsumi Yusa has been one of hardest workers in the middle of the pitch for NorthEast. Sharp while attacking, clinical while passing besides being good at retrieving balls, the Japanese has a high work-rate and often proves to be a thorn for the opposition. With a goal and an assist to his name, he takes forward most of NorthEast’s attacks. He will have to be top-notch against a dangerous opponent on Wednesday.Florent Malouda has been the Lions’ main player pulling the strings from midfield. With three goals and five assists, he is one of the main reasons for Delhi’s fine form this season. With quick feet and deft touches, Delhi’s marquee player has always been in the thick of things when it comes to making attacks and counter-attacks. He will again look to see a lot of the ball against the Highlanders.Nicolas Velez vs Anas EdathodikaNicolas Velez had a good game against Chennaiyin FC bagging a brace besides creating a lot of other opportunities. He has a lot of influence on NorthEast’s games and always keeps opposition defenders on their toes. With three goals and two assists to his credit already, he is one of the players to watch out for tomorrow.Dynamos centre-back Anas Edathodika has been rock solid for his team this season. He has made important tackles and has rarely been outfoxed by opposition attackers. He makes key interceptions, and being tall helps him a lot in aerial battles. His performance at the back is key to Delhi holding their ground against the Highlanders.Squads:NorthEast United FC: TP Rehenesh, Wellington Gomes, Mailson Alves, Nirmal Chettri, Reagan Singh, Robin Gurung, Salam Ranjan Singh, Shouvik Ghosh, Didier Zokora, Fanai Lalrempuia, Holicharan Narzary, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Katsumi Yusa, Koffi Christian N’dri, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Rowllin Borges, Seityasen Singh, Wellington Priori, Emiliano Alfaro, Nicolas Velez, Robert Cullen, Sasha Aneff, Sumeet Passi / Delhi Dynamos FC: Antonio Doblas Santana, Sanjiban Ghosh, Soram Poirei, Ruben Gonzalez Rocha, David Addy, Ibrahima Niasse, Anas Edathodika, Chinglensana Konsham Singh, Lalchhawnkima, Rupert Nongrum, Souvik Chakraborty, Florent Malouda, Bruno Augusto Pelissari de Lima, Marcos Tebar, Emerson Gomes de Moura, Denson Devadas, Malsawmzuala, Richard Gadze, Badara Badji, Arjun Tudu, Marcelo Leite Pereira, Kean Lewis, Amoes Do, Alwyn George/ (Please note that following Atlético de Kolkata’s 1-1 draw at home against Kerala Blasters FC on Tuesday, Delhi Dynamos FC also qualify for the semi-finals. Mumbai City FC, Atlético de Kolkata and Delhi Dynamos FC are the three teams to have qualified as of now. FC Pune City and defending Chennaiyin FC are out of contention, leaving Kerala Blasters FC and NorthEast United FC in a tussle for the remaining spot in the semis.)
