Fresh from their pulsating draw against Mumbai City FC last weekend, ATK Mohun Bagan are looking to get back to winning ways against the league’s last boys NorthEast United.
The Green and Maroons twice came from behind to secure a point against the Islanders while NorthEast slumped to a fifth straight loss of the campaign against Kerala Blasters.
ATKMB vs NEUFC Match Details
Date: Thursday, 10 November 2022
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata
ATKMB vs NEUFC Match Preview
A footballing spectacle unfolded at Mumbai Football Arena as two of the current top-four sides in the ISL, ATK Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City FC collided for an exciting 2-2 draw. Both sides went for the kill hitting the woodwork a combined five times unable to separate them at the end. The home side enjoyed more possession of the ball and unleashed more shots on target with ATK Mohun Bagan happy to protect first then finding opportunities to strike. Lenny Rodrigues was also sent off for the away side and he will miss the next clash. Sharing of spoils might not be a likeable result the team wanted with top-sitters Hyderabad FC flying high at the moment although it was just about right one respecting the qualities of both. Juan Ferrando’s worry will be to keep clean sheets though as ATKMB have only managed to keep one, against low-lying East Bengal, in four games this season. They could change it by facing this season’s worst scorer in NorthEast United only managed to score once. It will be the chance for ATK Mohun Bagan to narrow down the gap with the top spot to six points through a win and also extend it to three from Kerala Blasters in seventh, out of the playoffs spot. Looking at the contrasting fortunes of both clubs, it is an accomplishment that ATKMB can undertake. The Kolkata-based side currently holds the fifth position with seven points from four games tying with Chennaiyin FC but having a better goal difference. Winning against the Highlanders will be even more crucial as the next two games are against the top two sides in the league, FC Goa and then title holders Hyderabad FC. The overall record also works to their advantage having won four of the six meetings in the ISL.
Marco Balbul’s job at NorthEast United is hanging by a thread as the bottom-placed team continued to move downhill with a 3-0 loss to Kerala Blasters leaving them more frustrated than ever. The coach’s strategy to shift to a three-man defense to avoid leaking goals backfired as the team’s lack of quality did not change with the system. They were branded the worst team in the division this season already with this defeat only rubbing more salt in the wound. NorthEast have conceded 11 goals and managed to score only once, seemingly the worst start for any side in the league history. The change of atmosphere looks to be the only way to uplift the side although Balbul is adamant that positive results will eventually arrive. But he needs to get it quickly and probably in the next few games to save his job. It is easier said than done as they face all the current top-six teams in the next five fixtures which are as challenging as it gets. Spotting the opposition’s weakness is hard as they themselves are incapable to exploit those. Facing ATK Mohun Bagan at the Saltlake Stadium is another daunting task even though their defeats in away games have been less insulting than at Guwahati. At the moment, Marco Balbul’s could only hope for a miracle and a completely off day from the home side to get the first points on board.
Recent Form
ATKMB: DWWL
NEUFC: LLLLL
Predicted Lineups
ATKMB: Vishal Kaith; Asish Rai, Pritam Kotal, Brendan Hamil, Subhasish Bose; Deepak Tangri, Hugo Boumous, Joni Kauko; Manvir Singh, Dimitri Petratos, Liston Colaco
NEUFC: Mirshad Michu; Mashoor Shereef, Gaurav Bora, Michael Jakobsen, Joe Zoherliana, Emil Benny, Jon Gaztanaga, Romain Philippoteaux, Gurjinder Kumar; Matt Derbyshire, Jithin MS
ATKMB vs NEUFC Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Kaith (8)
DEF: Asish (8), Hamill (7), Jakobsen (7), Bose (8)
MID: Philippoteaux (8), Gaztanaga (8.5), Kauko (8), Boumous (8.5)
FW: Jithin (8.5), Petratos (9)
Vice-captain: Joni Kauko
Captain: Dimitri Petratos
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
