NEUFC vs MCFC Match Details
Date: Sunday, 24 September 2023
Time: 20:00 (IST)
Venue: Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati
NEUFC vs MCFC Match Preview
NorthEast United had a difficult campaign last time in the ISL finishing bottom of the pile with merely five points collected from 20 games. The Highlanders managed just a single victory in the entire campaign, drawing just twice and losing the rest. It was by far the worst season by any club in the ten years of the league. They also conceded 55 goals and returned a goal difference of -35. However, the preparation for the new season has seen a lot of promise after the appointment of new head coach Juan Pedro Benali. The Spaniard has produced a more attacking style of play for the team and it transformed the team’s attitude. The run to the semi-finals of the recent Durand Cup is a lively example. Sensationally, they could have also reached the final of the competition having led the tie 2-0 against East Bengal till the 77th minute. They threw it away in the last minute of the match to end it 2-2 and got eliminated on penalties. The team definitely won more than lost with their showings in the Durand Cup and hopes to carry forward the positivity for a better ISL season this time. The start of it will be quite challenging against Shield winners Mumbai City FC but having beaten them in the Super Cup and losing just once in the last four meetings at Guwahati should give them confidence.
In complete contrast, Mumbai City FC were unbelievable the previous season in their record-breaking run to win the ISL Shield for the second time. They won the most number of games, collected the most number of points and scored the most number of goals among many as they bulldozed the opposition to rip their rewards. Experiencing such a magnificent season, the Islanders also got the chance to qualify for the AFC Champions League for the second consecutive time. They will be the last to represent India directly at the group stages after the competition goes through a revamp from the next season. Mumbai City reached the quarter final stage of the Durand Cup losing for the first time to Mohun Bagan and faced a similar outcome in their AFC Champions League opener against Iranian side FC Nassaji
Mazandaran. The Islanders went down 2-0 at Pune in their home stadium for Champions League matches despite enjoying most of the possession and creating a plethora of chances. They were punished for not taking them and also for mistakes at the back that allowed the opposition to secure the victory. Des Buckingham’s side will hope to forget that loss and get ready for the ISL Shield defence which they want to start on a high on Sunday.
NEUFC vs MCFC Predicted Lineups
NEUFC: Mirshad Michu; Dinesh Singh, Gaurav Bora, Asheer Akhtar, Hira Mondal; Phalguni Singh, Pragyan Gogoi, Romain Philippoteaux; Redeem Tlang, Ibson, Parthib Gogoi
MCFC: Phurba Lachenpa; Rahul Bheke, Rostyn Griffiths, Mehtab Singh, Akash Mishra; Van Nieff, Apuia, Greg Stewart, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Jorge Diaz, Bipin Singh
NEUFC vs MCFC Head to Head (ISL)
Played - 18
NEUFC won - 5
Drawn - 4
MCFC won - 9
NEUFC vs MCFC Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Michu (8.5)
DEF: Bheke (8.5), Mehtab (8), Bora (7.5), Mishra (7.5)
MID: Philippoteaux (9), Pragyan (8), Stewart (9)
FW: Chhangte (9), Diaz (8.5), Parthib (8.5)
Vice-captain: Jorge Diaz
Captain: Greg Stewart
