Heavyweights Bengaluru and NorthEast clash in top of the table battle

High-flying NorthEast United FC will play host to Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2018-19 table toppers Bengaluru FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday. The match will pit two of the most impressive teams of the season so far against each other and fans can expect a spectacle to remember.

Bengaluru currently lead the standings with 22 points from eight matches, while the Highlanders are hot on their heels with 18 from nine. Eelco Schattorie's men will go into the match relishing the idea of cutting Bengaluru's lead to a single point. The feat, however, will be a tough one, considering Bengaluru are unbeaten this season and hold a perfect record over NorthEast in the Hero ISL.

NorthEast United FC

A win on Wednesday will see the Highlanders surpass their highest-ever points tally in the Hero ISL, which came back in 2015 when they managed 20 from 14 matches. The numbers bear testimony to how far the team has progressed this season, especially after a horrid 2017-18 campaign which saw them finish rock bottom with just 11 points from 18 outings.

The biggest catalyst behind their resurgence has been their foreign recruits, who have hit the ground running. Striker Bartholomew Ogbeche has been in scintillating form and is currently the joint highest scorer of the league, alongside FC Goa's Ferran Corominas, with eight goals. The likes of Federico Gallego, Juan Masciaand Jose Leudo are also having a terrific campaign and will be pivotal against Bengaluru on Wednesday. Under the stewardship of Schattorie, NorthEast have looked a well-rounded unit and seem to be well on their way to secure a playoff spot for the first time ever in the club's history.

Here’s a look at NorthEast’s current season in numbers:

Bengaluru FC

Bengaluru have been juggernauts this season, winning seven and drawing one of their eight fixtures so far. Carles Cuadrat's men are currently on a six-match winning streak and will be looking to make it seven on Wednesday. Led by the talismanic Sunil Chhetri, the Blues have looked lethal in attack, scoring 15 goals. However, their biggest strength this season has been the defence. The back line, featuring Albert Serran, Juanan and Rahul Bheke, has looked impenetrable at times and currently hold the meanest defensive record in the league, having let in just six goals.

Bengaluru have been without star striker Miku in their last three matches but managed to win them all. Youngster Udanta Singh has stepped up big time to make up for the Venezuelan's absence and has scored two goals in his last two matches. Even defender Rahul Bheke has pitched in with a couple of important goals of his own. With Miku expected to be back from his injury soon, the Blues will only be getting stronger.

Despite all the positives, the last two fixtures against Delhi Dynamos FC and FC Pune City might have given Cuadrat something to worry about. Bengaluru had to rely on late winners in both matches, and it was largely due to their poor finishing in front of the goal. For instance, in their last match against Pune, the Blues had 32 attempts on goal but only nine were on target. Against a much stronger NorthEast side, Bengaluru will need to be a lot more proficient going forward if they want to bag all three points.

Here’s a look at Bengaluru’s current season in numbers:

PROBABLE LINE-UPS:

NORTHEAST UNITED FC: Pawan Kumar (GK), Provat Lakra, Mato Grgic, Mislav Komorski, Robert Lalthlamuana, Rowllin Borges, Jose Leudo, Redeem Tlang, Federico Gallego, Lalthathanga Khawlhring, Bartholomew Ogbeche (C)

BENGALURU FC: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK), Rahul Bheke, Albert Serran, Juanan, Nishu Kumar, Harmanjot Khabra, Dimas Delgado, Xisco Hernandez, Udanta Singh, Chencho Gyeltshen, Sunil Chhetri (C)

DID YOU KNOW?

Bengaluru are on a six-match winning streak.
If they win against Bengaluru, NorthEast will record their highest-ever points tally in Hero ISL history.
NorthEast have won just 1 of their 4 matches at home this season (drawn 2, lost 1).

FANSPEAK

Which striker will outperform the other?