ISL: NorthEast United FC vs Mumbai City FC – What we can expect – Preview and Prediction

NorthEast United FC take on Mumbai City FC in the final ISL match

In the last league match of the Hero Indian Super, NorthEast United FC will host Mumbai City FC in an unimportant clash. Hosts NorthEast United FC are already out of the tournament, and Mumbai City FC need to score a galore of goals to make it to the semi-finals. Needless to say, that none of the teams stands a chance of qualifying to the semi-final stage.

The hosts will miss the services of striker James Keene due to suspension. Peter Reid’s team on the other hand will be high on confidence after their last win against Atletico De Kolkata. Both the teams will look forward to end their inaugural Indian Super League campaign on a high.

Venue

Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati, Assam

Kick-off time

December 10, 2014 - 7 pm (IST)

Possible starting line-ups

NorthEast United FC (4-3-1-2): Rehenesh TP; Massamba Sambou, Aiborlal Khongjee, Miguel Garcia Joan Capdevila, kondwani Mtonga, Sergio Pardo, Felipe De Castro, Zodingliana Ralte, Semilen Doungel, Dutga Boro.

NorthEast United FC’s biggest problem has been scoring goals. They have created many opportunities but have lacked the necessary finesse upfront to capitalise on those chances. Their Indian recruits Seminlen Doungel and Durga Boro have been hard working but they have not been good in front of goal for their team.

For the last time tonight, Ricki Herbert’s team will play a match in front of their highly passionate supporters. In all probability he will stick to his 4-3-1-2 formation with Koke back in the team, playing just behind Boro and Doungel, who will start up-front.

Mumbai City FC (4-4-1-1): Subrata Pal, Deepak Mondal, Manuel Friedrich, Pavel Cmovs, Asif Kottayil, Jan Stohanzl, Johan Letzelter, Tiago Ribeiro, Lalrindika Ralte, Subhash Singh, Nicolas Anelka.

Mumbai City FC on paper still hold an outside chance of qualifying, but they need to pull off a miraculous score against NorthEast to make it to the semi-finals. On a practical note, their campaign is over and they will mostly play for pride.

They are high on confidence after winning their last match against Atletico de Kolkata. Subhash Singh may start in place of Abhishek Yadav as his pace can be utilized well on the right flank with Anelka playing as the lone striker.

Likely formations of both the teams

Key Battles

Sergio Pardo vs Manuel Friedrich

Koke or Sergio Pardo has been the most influential player for NorthEast United all through the tournament. He is the most dangerous player up-front and can single-handedly affect the outcome of a match. The Mumbai City FC defense has been faulty of conceding silly goals several times in the league and it will be tough job for Manuel Friedrich and company to keep the NorthEast attack in check.

Koke is the most important player in NorthEast’s strike-force

Nicolas Anelka vs Miguel Garcia

Regardless of his injury-fueled absence during some critical parts of the Indian Super League, Nicolas Anelka is undoubtedly the most dangerous player in the Mumbai City FC attack. Anelka has had an average outing in the Hero Indian Super League and has scored two goals, but he has also missed quite a few. Miguel Garcia, the NorthEast captain will be in charge of controlling Anelka’s activities up-front.

Prediction

NorthEast United FC 1-1 Mumbai City FC