Guwahati: The Jamshedpur FC juggernaut will travel to Guwahati and take on NorthEast United FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium as the Saturday double-header of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 commences on October 26, at 5 pm.
A cracking contest is likely between the two sides whose fortunes have been on an upward trajectory this year.
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Khalid Jamil’s blueprint has settled seamlessly amongst the Red Miners, who are placed second in the table with 12 points from five games.
The Highlanders have accumulated five points from as many matches and are 10th in the standings, but they have been beaten only once in their previous four games.
NorthEast United FC, too, have produced positive signs under the tutelage of Juan Pedro Benali, and they must be certain that better things are on the radar for them moving ahead in the current campaign.
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Resurgent NorthEast United FC:
Turning the Tide: The Highlanders have not tasted a loss in their previous two meetings against Jamshedpur FC, despite losing four times consecutively prior to this brief positive run.
If they find the back of the net in this game, it will mark their joint-longest goal-scoring streak against the Red Miners, equalling a three-game-long stretch from January 2021 to February 2022.
The upcoming match on their home turf could be the very impetus they need to fuel their campaign and march ahead with greater confidence and vigour.
Saturday Luck: In what could be a case of pure coincidence, but still makes up for an interesting nugget of trivia, NorthEast United FC have won both of their last two matches played on a Saturday.
But, there’s a caveat. They have never beaten Jamshedpur FC in the four times they have met on this day of the week – losing and drawing twice each.
Which of the two mentioned records will they hold on to ramp upon tomorrow?
Jamshedpur FC – On a roll:
Winning Streak: The season has begun strongly for Jamil and Co, and they have garnered victories in each of their last two matches.
Their previous-longest winning sequence was of seven games on a stretch in February-March 2022.
They also have an opportunity to mark a first here, since winning against NorthEast United FC will make it the maiden time that they emerge victorious in two out of their first three away fixtures of an ISL season.
Proactive Jamshedpur FC: The Red Miners have been taking risks upfront, visible from their passing accuracy of 57.1 per cent in the opposition’s half this season, which is the lowest amongst all teams.
While it may not paint a pretty picture statistically, the number does show that they are being brave in creating chances in the final third, which has led them to score 10 goals until now.
Even their possession rate of 36.2 per cent is the lowest in the league in 2024-25, showing that they are not hesitant to let the opposition be on the ball and instead launch their offensive moves on the counter-attack.
Head-to-Head:
In their 14 meetings in the ISL, NorthEast United FC and Jamshedpur FC have won two and six games respectively. Six of their games have resulted in a draw.
Coach’s Corner:
“No pressure on us”
NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali brushed away suggestions that his team is under any pressure.
However, he highlighted a key area of concern with regards to their defensive unit.
“There is no pressure on us. But we are hungry. I don’t look at points, but I look at the goals scored against us. Two goals against us per game are too much. We need to decrease that and if we do so, then we will automatically do well as we are one of the teams to have scored the most goals this season,” Benali said.
“NEUFC are one of the best teams in the league”
Jamshedpur FC head coach Khalid Jamil maintained that his side is extremely keen on getting a positive result tomorrow.
He was all praise for the home team of this fixture too.
“Everyone is doing well. All the focus is on tomorrow. We have a vital game coming up. NorthEast United FC has a very good coach and a good mix of Indian and foreign players. They are overall one of the best teams in the ISL,” Jamil said.
Key Players and Milestones:
Jamshedpur FC’s dominance in the air is vibrant from the fact that Jordan Murray’s 31 contested aerial duels are the most in the league by any player.
He is closely followed by teammates Stephen Eze and Javi Hernandez at 29, whereas Eze has also won the most of them (20) in the tournament so far.
NorthEast United FC will have to guard their defences stronger in that aspect.
NorthEast United FC has discovered a unique spark in their frontline through Alaaeddine Ajaraie, who has attempted the most dribbles (21) in the league this season.
He has completed eight of them, only behind Alberto Noguera (10) and Abdul Rabeeh (9).
Ajaraie’s skills upfront will be vital for the Highlanders to breach the Jamshedpur FC defence that has conceded six goals until now.
Jamshedpur FC were shielded brilliantly by goalkeeper Albino Gomes, whose 23 saves are the highest by any custodian in the competition.
He has been at the receiving end of plenty of attacks from the opposition as well, being the only goalkeeper to face (107) over 100 shots in the league.
He could help the Red Miners keep the NorthEast United FC attacking unit at bay.
ISL Fantasy Picks:
Alaaeddine Ajaraie (8.1 crore) – has earned 36 ISL fantasy points this season
Imran Khan (6.4 crore) – has bagged 25 ISL fantasy points so far