Sixth-placed NorthEast United FC pay a visit to seventh-placed Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai in Match 49 of Hero Indian Super League 2016 on Saturday. The two teams come into this fixture with contrasting results in their previous matches. While the Highlanders kept their semis hopes alive by edging past FC Pune City 1-0, the Super Machans succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of maiden semi-finalists Mumbai City FC. This is a must-win encounter for the defending champions, who on 14 points from 12 games, are staring at an early exit. Marco Materazzi’s men will have to garner maximum points from their remaining fixtures in order to stay alive in the league. The Highlanders, on the other hand, have had an indifferent season so far, winning four and losing five out of their 11 matches so far. In fact, their win against Pune was their first in seven matches and for a team that started their campaign with three wins out of their first four matches, things really went out of hand at one stage. However, they are back in the reckoning and having played a game fewer than Chennaiyin, they will hope that they can get all three points and knock the hosts out. NorthEast will go into the match without Rowllin Borges who is serving a one-match suspension on account of yellow card accumulation.Head-to-Head: The inaugural season of the Hero ISL witnessed the teams playing out a 2-2 draw in Chennai before the Highlanders routed Chennaiyin 3-0 in their own den. Hero ISL 2015 saw NorthEast do the double over Chennaiyin, with them winning 2-0 at home and 2-1 away. Earlier this season, Chennaiyin managed to pip NorthEast 1-0 at Guwahati.Form Guide (Last five matches):Chennaiyin FC: L-L-W-D-LNorthEast United FC: L-L-L-D-WJohn Arne Riise vs Nicolas VelezChennaiyin FC marquee player John Arne Riise has been a pillar at the back for his team. Capable of playing both in the left and centre back positions with equal efficiency, the Norwegian is a no-nonsense player when it comes to defending. Possessing a thunderous left foot and capable of producing breath-taking free kicks, Riise will have to see to it that his team does not concede in this do-or-die tie for them.NorthEast striker Nicolas Velez has always given defenders trouble with his quick feet and darting runs inside the box. With a goal and an assist to his name, the Argentine leads the attack line for his team efficiently. His neat touches and calm finishes make him a dangerous customer for any defender. Come Saturday, he will have to be at his best if NorthEast are to get all three points.Hans Mulder vs Didier ZokoraHans Mulder has been in the thick of things for Chennaiyin. He is strong and pacey and has already got two goals to his name. His passing is also accurate, not to mention his crucial tackles in the middle of the park. His form has varied so far this season but when on song, he can be pretty difficult to handle. In this crucial match for his team, he will have to go all guns blazing, and if he does, NorthEast are going to have a long evening.NorthEast’s marquee player Didier Zokora has been a key figure for his team in the centre of the field. He provides key passes as well as makes important tackles and interceptions. Quick to counter-attack and equally efficient in breaking down opponents’ attacks, the Ivorian has become indispensable for his team. However, he will have to do a lot of work tomorrow if NorthEast are to get a positive result.Davide Succi vs Mailson AlvesDavide Succi did not have a good game against Mumbai, but at his best, he can be the deciding factor in any match. He is dangerous with the ball at his feet as well as in the air, and his pace can bemuse any defender. Chennaiyin will look to him to score some goals and take them past NorthEast. He will also take plenty of confidence from his winner he scored earlier in the season against the Highlanders.Mailson Alves has been solid at the back for NorthEast in all the matches he has played so far. He has made some key tackles and smart interceptions, and rarely gets outpaced. He also wins a lot of aerial duels and makes life difficult for opposition attackers. The Brazilian will have to be at his best for his match and see to it that NorthEast do not concede.Squads:Chennaiyin FC: Karanjit Singh, Pawan Kumar, Duwayne Kerr, Bernard Mendy, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Eli Sabia, Eder Monterio, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Abhishek Das, John Arne Riise, Baljit Sahni, Hans Mulder, Manuele Blasi, Thoi Singh, Raphael Augusto, Harmanjot Singh Khabra, Davide Succi, Maurizio Peluso, Bedashwor Singh, Uttam Rai, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Zakeer Mundampara, Jayesh Rane, Daniel Lalhlimpuia / NorthEast United FC: TP Rehenesh, Subrata Paul, Wellington Gomes, Gustavo Lazzaretti, 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, Seityasen Singh, Wellington Priori, Emiliano Alfaro, Nico Velez, Robert Cullen, Sasha Aneff, Sumeet Passi/
