Two inconsistent sides this season, Jamshedpur FC and NorthEast United meet each other in Bambolim to start their new year with a win. Both of them have dropped points in their previous game which left them with only one win in five.
JFC vs NEUFC Match Details :
When: Thursday, January 6
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Where: GMC Athletic Stadium
JFC vs NEUFC Match Preview :
Owen Coyle will be understandably frustrated by his side not ending 2021 on a positive note and then starting the new year with a defeat. Without a victory in three since their 4-0 crushing of Odisha FC, Jamshedpur lost 1-0 to Chennaiyin on Sunday. A first half strike from Lukasz Gikiewicz confirmed the points for the Marina Machans in a game where the steelers dominated possession and created numerous chances to score. Goals have dried up for JFC since their win three weeks back with this defeat coming after a stalemate with Bengaluru FC and a 1-1 draw against Kerala Blasters. Taking 12 shots on target in the three games combined but scoring only once, a show stopping free-kick from Greg Stewart. Coyle admitted they are looking out for signings in the ongoing transfer window. So, bringing in a striker can be on the agenda considering Nerijus Valskis decided to return to his old side, Chennaiyin incidentally, while others failed to find the net. For now, they want Stewart to be the source of goal against a team finding their form.
Manager Khalid Jamil was finding it hard to replicate his outstanding tenure of last season in this one where he put a fragile NorthEast United group to the playoff with the best ever league finish in their ISL history. After starting the season in a miserable fashion, they showed a lot of promise in beating last boys SC East Bengal, a close 2-3 defeat to ATK Mohun Bagan and closing 2021 with a thrilling 3-3 draw against holders Mumbai City FC. Star striker Deshorn Brown scored an audacious hat trick to keep the champions at bay and while the defense continued to leak goals, signs of improvement is there. Brown's return to full fitness finally is a big thumbs up moment for the Indian gaffer as NorthEast prepares to build on this. The Jamaican striker was the reason for their revolution last season so he wants to be key again to keep up his scoring form in 2022. The Highlanders can breath a sign of relief to know their opposition on the night, Jamshedpur FC not finding the back of the net too often as their figure of 19 goals conceded doesn't look good. If Jamil manages to repair the disfigure backline, he can work his magic again by starting the new year on a winning note.
Recent Form :
Jamshedpur FC: LWDDL
NorthEast United: LLWLD
JFC vs NEUFC Team News :
Komal Thatal is out for Jamshedpur FC while Pronay Halder is back in the squad after recovering from his injury. Farukh Chowdhary remains out with a season ending injury. Barring any late-minute changes, there are no other issues.
For NorthEast United, only Gani Nigam is unavailable due to an injury while Khassa Camara won't be available after he traveled with his nation Mauritania for the Africa Cup of Nations.
JFC vs NEUFC Expected Lineups :
Jamshedpur FC: TP Rehenesh; Laldinliana Renthlei, Narendar Gahlot, Peter Hartley, Ricky Lallawmawma, Jitendra Singh, Alex Lima, Seimenlen Doungel, Greg Stewart, Boris Singh, Jordan Murray
NorthEast United: Mirshad Michu; Provat Lakra, Hernan Santana, Patrick Flottmann, Tondonba Singh, Imran Khan, Sehnaj Singh, Pragyan Gogoi, VP Suhair, Deshorn Brown, Mathias Coureur
JFC vs NEUFC Head to Head :
This game has often produced draws in the previous meetings with Jamshedpur winning twice. The Highlanders only managed to get their first three points in this fixture last season when Asutosh Mehta and Deshorn Brown got goals in the second half with Hartley scoring a late conciliation for Jamshedpur FC. Goals have been a rarity too aside from the thrilling 3-3 draw played in 2020 where the last four goals came 75th-minute minute mark.
JFC vs NEUFC Dream11 Team Prediction :
GK: Rehenesh (JFC)
DEF: Renthlei (JFC), Hartley (JFC), Flottmann (NEUFC), Ricky (JFC)
MID: Imran (NEUFC), Santana (NEUFC), Alex (JFC), Suhair (NEUFC)
FW: Stewart (JFC), Brown (NEUFC)
