New era beckons at ATK Mohun Bagan as they face NorthEast United placed ninth on the table in the ongoing Hero ISL campaign. Two sides with contrasting fortunes in the last games are looking for stability with crucial games coming in the festive period.
NEUFC vs ATKMB Match Details :
When: Tuesday, 21 December
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Where: Fatorda Stadium
NEUFC vs ATKMB Match Preview
NorthEast United breathed in a lot of positivity from their 2-0 triumph over last boys SC East Bengal. Although the victory came against a struggling side, it was a much-required one for the Highlanders after humiliating 5-1 defeat to Hyderabad FC and Odisha FC. It was their second three points of the season, the first one came against FC Goa.
Devoid of striker Brown and defender Santana, NEUFC put up a commendable performance with VP Suhair and center back Flotterman naming themselves in the scoresheet. Khalid Jamil wishes his side don't go off the track this time out and improve their standings in the ISL table. Especially against a team undergoing changes not only in the managerial seat but also in their way of approaching games.
The 3-3 draw against Bengaluru FC was a spectacle for the viewers but became the last straw for ATKMB's management to sack Antonio Habas from the manager role. The Spaniard left India after a long stint in the league and winning two ISL titles. It has been a rollercoaster ride for the Mariners after starting the season strongly but then fading away as Habas's defensive stringency took a toll on the team. Eight points from six games and 13 conceded derailed them from the title chase.
But the Kolkata giants managed to trigger the release clause of FC Goa's coach, Juan Ferrando now set to take the hot seat but unsure whether he will be in the dugout for the Tuesday night affair. Ferrando's CV is due to give the fans a lot of optimism to turnaround their faith and restore balance in the team.
Recent Form :
NorthEast United: WLLWL
ATK Mohun Bagan: DDLLW
NEUFC vs ATKMB Team News :
NorthEast have key absentees due to injury for the clash. Striker Deshorn Brown will miss yet another game due to his problems with William Lalrunfela joining him on the sidelines. Hernan Santana is also a major doubt. There are no concerns for the oppositions ATKMB though.
NEUFC vs ATKMB Expected Lineups :
NorthEast: Subhasish Roy; Provat Lakra, Patrick Flottman, Jestin George, Gurjinder Kumar, Khassa Camara, Imran Khan, Pragyan Gogoi, Rochharzela, Mathias Coureur, VP Suhair.
ATKMB: Amrinder Singh; Pritam Kotal, Deepak Tangri, Tiri, Subhasish Bose, Hugo Boumous, Joni Kauko, Ashutosh Mehta, Liston Colaco, Roy Krishna, Manvir Singh.
NEUFC vs ATKMB Head to Head :
These two sides met each other in the playoff round in addition to the league phase of last season. ATKMB won the first-ever clash 2-0 while the returning fixture was won by NorthEast. In the playoff, the first battle ended 1-1 while the Mariners triumphed 2-1 in the second leg of a thrilling semifinal to advance to the final.
NEUFC vs ATKMB Dream11 Team Prediction :
GK: S. Roy (NEUFC)
DEF: Lakra (NEUFC), Pritam (ATKMB), Flottmann (NEUFC), Bose (ATKMB)
MID: Suhair (NEUFC), Camara (NEUFC), Kauko (ATKMB), Colaco (ATKMB)
FW: Boumous (ATKMB), Roy (ATKMB)
