ISL 2015 preview: Reloaded NorthEast to prove a stiff challenge for Atletico
NorthEast United FC, who are at the bottom of the points table, host third placed Atletico de Kolkata in Guwahati tonight. The reinvigorated home side are looking for their first win against the reigning champions, while Atletico are keen to return to winning ways and regain the top spot in the league.
The Highlanders are coming into this game on the back of their first win, against Chennaiyin FC, in this tournament. Cesar Farias would have been pleased with the way his marquee player, Simao Sabrosa made an immediate impact on his arrival, as he scored the opening goal of the match. His return should have certainly lifted the team's morale and they will head into this clash on a positive note.
Atletico, on the other hand, encountered their first loss of the campaign as they failed to equalize, after Jackichand Singh provided FC Pune City with an early lead. Antonio Habas' men have played a more adventurous brand of football this season, but that has come at the cost of weakening the water-tight defense, which won them the league last season – Atletico have not managed a clean sheet in their opening four matches.
After Delhi Dynamos' slip-up against Mumbai City FC last night, Atletico have a golden opportunity to reach the top of the table with a win in this game. Meanwhile, NorthEast can climb above both Mumbai City FC and Kerala Blasters FC with a positive result, although they will be aware of the fact that they lost both their matches against Atletico last season and have all of one goal to their credit so far this year.
NorthEast United team news
This is the first time Cesar Farias will have a fully fit squad to select from in this edition of ISL. The return of Simao Sabrosa proved to be a huge boost for his side.
Former Reading defender Andre Bikey, who was signed as the replacement of Miguel Garcia, has almost instantly formed a commanding partnership with Cedric Hengbart at the center of the defense. Farias is unlikely to change his back-four, which kept a clean-sheet against Chennaiyin in their last match.
The NorthEast manager will now have to find a way to accommodate Simao in the squad, while maintaining the balance in the starting line-up. Nicolas Velez, who was dropped to the bench against Chennaiyin, is likely to start for this game, while Diomansy Kamara, who hasn't been able to make any significant impact could be replaced by Simao.
Atletico de Kolkata team news
Apart from missing Helder Postiga, Atletico will also be without Arata Izumi for this match. The Indian midfielder picked up an injury during their last game against FC Pune City and has not travelled with the squad to Guwahati.
Baljit Singh Sahni is once again available for selection though, and the forward will replace Izumi in attack.
Antonio Habas is likely to make one more change for this game with Ofentse Nato being replaced by Jaime Gavilan in the midfield. The Botswana international struggled to have an impact in the last game, as Atletico were outplayed at the center of the park. Gavilan, on the other hand, has formed a good partnership with Borja Fernandez and will return to the starting line-up once again.
Previous encounters
October 16, 2014: NorthEast United FC 0-2 Atletico de Kolkata (Fikru 15', Pody 90')
November 18, 2014: Atletico de Kolkata (Garcia 51') 1-0 NorthEast United FC
Prediction
NorthEast United 1-1 Atletico de Kolkata
NorthEast looked hungry and sharp against Chennaiyin and the return of Simao will provide them with much-needed penetration in the attack, that they had been missing so far. Atletico will be hard to beat though, as they hope to bounce back from a disappointing defeat. This intriguing match-up is likely to end in a draw.
