Match 64 of Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2018-19 will see second-placed Bengaluru FC host third-placed NorthEast United FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Wednesday. The Blues will be hoping to return to winning ways after losing first spot to Mumbai City. NorthEast United, on the other hand, will be brimming with confidence after their 1-0 victory over Chennaiyin FC on Saturday. In the reverse fixture earlier in the season, the Highlanders would have run away with all three points had it not been for a stunning effort from Bengaluru’s Chencho Gyeltshen in the dying minutes of the second half.

BENGALURU FC

Despite surprisingly going down at the hands of Mumbai, Bengaluru will still fancy themselves to take all three points against NorthEast. The Blues were easily the best team during the first half of the season, dismantling opponents with their incisiveness and precision. Carles Cuadrat will undoubtedly want his troops to get back to that winning mindset as we reach the business end of the campaign and they will take confidence from the fact that Bengaluru are unbeaten in their last three meetings against the Highlanders, winning two and drawing one.

Looking at their previous match against Mumbai City, Miku’s absence for Bengaluru was dearly felt. The Blues were toothless in attack and barely tested the Mumbai backline. Cuadrat will be hoping that the Venezuelan striker returns to fitness in time. Sunil Chhetri and Udanta Singh were uncharacteristically quiet against Mumbai and will need to up their game if they hope to cause problems for the NorthEast defence. At the back, goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandu will have to make sure there aren’t any spaces in his defence for the likes Bartholomew Ogbeche and Federico Gallego to exploit.

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

NORTHEAST UNITED FC

NorthEast United will go into Wednesday's tie in buoyant fashion after their last-gasp victory over defending champions Chennaiyin FC in their previous encounter. The Highlanders created numerous chances but had to rely on Ogbeche to seal the three points late on. Questions have been raised about NorthEast’s dependence on their captain, but Eelco Schattorie has dismissed any such concerns, opting to point at their achievements with a thin squad instead.

Nevertheless, against a ruthless Bengaluru side, Northeast cannot afford to waste too many if presented the opportunity. Rowllin Borges and Federico Gallego were guilty of missing a few big chances against Chennaiyin. The pair will have a hard time in midfield especially against the likes of Dimas Delgado and Xisco Hernandez. If they can win the battle in midfield, then we might see an interesting contest unfold.

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

PROBABLE LINE-UPS:

BENGALURU FC: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK), Rahul Bheke, Juanan, Albert Serran, Harmanjot Khabra, Erik Paartalu, Dimas Delgado, Udanta Singh, Xisco Hernandez, Kean Lewis, Sunil Chhetri (C)

NORTHEAST UNITED FC: TP Rehenesh (GK), Reagan Singh, Mato Grgic, Mislav Komorski, Robert Lalthlamuana, Redeem Tlang, Jose Leudo, Rowllin Borges, Federico Gallego, Lalthathanga Khawlhring, Bartholomew Ogbeche (C)

DID YOU KNOW?

• NorthEast United have collected 13 points on the road this season, no side has collected more.
• Bengaluru held a record of being unbeaten for 11 games this season, the longest unbeaten run in a single season by any side.
• Bartholomew Ogbeche has been directly involved in 4 of the last 5 goals scored by

NorthEast United. (3 Goals, 1 Assist).

FANSPEAK

Which striker will prove to be the difference?

• Bartholomew Ogbeche
• Sunil Chhetri

Have your say in the comments section below.

Catch the match live on the Star Sports network, Hotstar and Jio Tv at 7.30 PM.