Shillong, Mar 7: NorthEast United FC will face East Bengal FC at the JN Stadium here in the Indian Super League 2024-25 tomorrow. Kick-off will be at 5PM.
The Highlanders have qualified for the playoffs with 35 points from 23 games on the back of nine wins and eight draws. They will want to enter the playoffs with a victory on their back.
East Bengal are eighth with 28 points and will hope to cap off the campaign by extending their strong record against NEUFC, having lost just once in their last six meetings and scoring in each of those encounters.
Meanwhile, NorthEast United head into this fixture on the back of a 3-0 victory over Chennaiyin FC, marking the seventh time this season they have netted three or more goals in a single game, as only Mohun Bagan Super Giant have achieved this more times (nine) in ISL 2024-25. The Highlanders’ seven such high-scoring games this season equal their combined tally from the last three seasons.
This will be NEUFC’s third and last home match in Shillong this season. While fans have been thrilled to get to watch ISL action in Meghalaya for the first time, NorthEast United haven’t been able to deliver on the pitch, losing both their previous two home games 2-0 to Mumbai City FC and Bengaluru FC.
The last time NorthEast United failed to find the back of the net in three successive home matches was between December 2019 and February 2020.
On the other hand, East Bengal are unbeaten in their last three away games with two wins and a draw. Extending that to four in a row would set a new club record for the Red & Golds in the ISL.
The two sides have played nine games against each other, with NorthEast United and East Bengal winning four and three times respectively. Two matches have produced draws.
Highlanders head coach Juan Pedro Benali opened up today on his plans for the forthcoming fixture. “We are playing East Bengal FC but we need to look at scoring goals and our gameplay rather than the opposition. We would like to rotate the players in some positions,” he said.
East Bengal assistant coach Bino George reiterated the importance of all games for the club. “We always focus on all our matches, as all of them are important for the club. We have our plans set and will be focused on following them,” he said.
(ISL Media photo)
