NorthEast United vs Jamshedpur: Preview and Prediction
‘Match 101’ of the 2021-22 Indian Super League season will see NorthEast United locking horns with Jamshedpur at the Fatorda Stadium on Friday. The Highlanders will be looking to express themselves with freedom since they are already out of the semi-final race, whereas Jamshedpur is aiming not only for a semi-final place but also a place in the AFC Champions League, for which they will need to finish at the top of the table.
After a dream run last season which saw them making it to the semis, expectations were high from NorthEast United. However, the Highlanders have had a campaign to forget so far as they are laboring in the tenth place in the standings, with 13 points to their name from 18 matches.
On the other hand, Jamshedpur has been one of the most consistent sides this season. The Red Miners have accumulated 31 points from 16 matches and are occupying second place in the standings.
Current Form
Jamshedpur has been absolutely flawless in recent weeks, as they are the only team to have won all of their last three matches. In their previous encounter, Owen Coyle’s men secured a 4-1 triumph against Chennaiyin.
The Red Miners edged past Mumbai City by a 3-2 margin before taking on the Marina Machans, whereas the preceding game saw them handing Kerala Blasters a 3-0 drubbing, courtesy of a Greg Stewart brace.
NorthEast United finally put an end to their winless streak in the last match, where they won 2-1 against Bengaluru. It was only the third win of the season for Khalid Jamil’s team, who suffered consecutive defeats before clashing against the Blues.
They lost 3-1 against ATK Mohun Bagan, whilst the preceding match saw them losing against Kerala Blasters by a 2-1 margin, despite enjoying numerical supremacy in the last twenty minutes of the game.
Head to Head Record
Jamshedpur holds the upper hand in terms of head-to-head records, as they have won three of the nine meetings against NorthEast United. The Highlanders have emerged victorious on only one occasion, whereas five matches have ended in stalemates.
The first meeting of this season saw Jamshedpur winning by a 3-2 margin. Jordan Murray, Boris Singh Thangjam, and Ishan Pandita were on the scoresheet for the Red Miners, whilst Deshorn Brown scored a brace for Jamil’s team.
Team News
Seimenlen Doungel could replace the injured Boris Singh Thangjam
Jamil is expected to make three changes to the team that won 2-1 against Bengaluru. Gurjinder Kumar, who will be available for selection after serving his one-game suspension, is likely to replace Provat Lakra.
Besides that, Brazilian attacker Marcelinho could come in for Pragyan Gogoi after the latter’s subpar display against the Blues, whereas to maintain overseas count, Patrick Flottmann could be sacrificed for Jestin George.
Coyle would ideally have preferred to field the same starting XI that won 4-1 against Chennaiyin, but injuries are likely to force him to make three changes. Boris, Jitendra Singh, and Stewart sustained injured in the game against the Marina Machans.
Mobashir Rahman is likely to come in for Jitendra, whereas Seimenlen Doungel can slot in on the right flank in Boris’ absence. With Stewart being unlikely to feature, Australian attacker Jordan Murray could return in the Red Miners’ starting XI.
Predicted Starting Lineups
NorthEast United (4-2-3-1): Mirshad Michu; Joe Zoherliana, Zakaria Diallo, Jestin George, Gurjinder Kumar; Mohamed Irshad, Hernan Santana; VP Suhair, Marcelinho, Imran Khan; Deshorn Brown.
Jamshedpur (4-2-3-1): TP Rehenesh; Laldinliana Renthlei, Eli Sabia, Peter Hartley, Ricky Lallwmawma; Mobashir Rahman, Pronay Halder; Seimenlen Doungel, Jordan Murray, Ritwik Das; Daniel Chima Chukwu.
Prediction
NorthEast United might be confident after winning their last match, but taking on Jamshedpur will be a whole different ball game as Coyle’s men are looking unstoppable at the moment. Hence, we have predicted a 2-0 scoreline in the Red Miners’ favor.