ISL Match Preview: NorthEast United FC face tough Hyderabad test

With all hopes of making it to the top 4 almost gone for the NorthEast United FC, the men in red have another tough challenge ahead of themselves as they take on table-toppers Hyderabad FC in the Hero Indian Super League 2021/22 on Monday at the PJN Stadium in Margao, Goa. Both the clubs have a 13-point gap between them with Hyderabad FC a game behind NEUFC. It’s 1^st vs 10^th in today’s game and it will be interesting to see whether the NorthEast club can spring an upset or will Hyderabad FC continue on their top spot pursuit.

The Highlanders played out a 1-1 draw against Mumbai City FC in their last outing while Hyderabad FC emerged victorious in a 3-2 comeback win against Odisha FC in their last match.

Khalid Jamil’s men will have to script a miraculous comeback to register themselves in the race for the top four. Meanwhile, Hyderabad FC will aim to retain the pole position by securing the three points.

Form Guide

NorthEast United FC: LDLLD

The Highlanders are tenth in the league standings with 10 points, collecting two wins, four draws, and eight losses in 14 games. Winless in their last seven games, Jamil’s men have also conceded the most goals in the league (28).

Hyderabad FC: DLDWW

Manuel Marquez led side sits at the top of the table with 23 points in 13 games, registering six wins, five draws, and two losses. Hyderabad FC have scored the most goals (28) and has the highest goal difference in the league (+15).

Head-To-Head

The two teams have met each other on five occasions, and Hyderabad FC have got the better of NorthEast United FC three times while the latter have clinched just one win. Their last meeting ended in a 5-1 victory for Hyderabad FC in match 28.

Team News

Key Stats

Club record alert!

Hyderabad FC have equaled their record of 6 wins in the 2020-21 season in just 13 matches. They have never won more than 6 matches in the league stages of this competition before putting them on the verge of another historic feat.

An unwanted record

If the Highlanders concede more than 3 goals in the upcoming match, it will break their record of most goals conceded in the league stages of the season – 30 goals in 2019-20.

Key Players

NorthEast United FC

Deshorn Brown: The striker needs to score one goal to become the joint-highest goalscorer in NorthEast United’s Hero ISL history.

Provat Lakra: The defender has made 55 tackles, 31 clearances, and 28 interceptions while remaining a consistent starter in the starting back under Khalid Jamil.

Hyderabad FC

Bartholomew Ogbeche: A revolution in the Hero ISL, Ogbeche has led the goal scoring charts this season with 12 goals, four goals ahead of his competition, Igor Angulo. 

Asish Rai: He bombs forward and regularly puts in crosses for Hyderabad FC. This season, he has attempted 40 crosses and only Jorge Ortiz of FC Goa has put in more. Rai’s assist in Hyderabad’s 3-2 win over Odisha was his second of the season.

Match timings and telecast details

Match: NorthEast United FC vs Hyderabad FC

Date: January 31, 2022

Venue: PJN Stadium, Margao, Goa

Kick-off time: 7.30 pm IST

Telecast: Star Sports Network

Online Streaming: Disney+Hotstar and JioTV.