NorthEast United FC vs Chennaiyin FC: Indian Super League Showdown

In a much-anticipated return, the Indian Super League (ISL) is set to captivate football fans as NorthEast United FC squares off against Chennaiyin FC. The encounter, scheduled for Thursday, will commence at 7:30 PM IST at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. This marks Matchweek five of the 2024-25 ISL season, following the international break.

Both NorthEast United FC and Chennaiyin FC have shown competitive strength so far, each having suffered just one loss this season. NorthEast United managed a 3-3 draw at home against FC Goa in their last match. Meanwhile, Chennaiyin FC held Hyderabad FC to a 0-0 draw, despite the latter having ten players.

The historical record tilts slightly in favor of Chennaiyin FC when considering their past confrontations with NorthEast United FC. The Marina Machans have won eight out of twenty meetings, with the Highlanders securing seven victories. Notably, the last season saw NorthEast United claim a decisive 3-0 victory against Chennaiyin FC in the same fixture, which may bolster their confidence.

Regarding tactical prowess, Chennaiyin FC has been notable for their offensive approach, averaging 19.3 shot attempts per game, the highest in the league. Despite their prolific shot-taking, they have converted only three of these into goals so far.

NorthEast United FC’s attack has been relatively efficient, scoring seven goals from an expected goals (xG) value of 3.17, which ranks them second in xG differential this season. Head Coach Juan Pedro Benali remains optimistic, stating, “It’s my second season here. We are growing. We make mistakes and we learn from them.”

As for Chennaiyin FC, led by Coach Owen Coyle, they are determined to maintain competitive form away from home. Coyle expressed confidence in his team’s capabilities, stating, “We are very respectful of the quality of the NorthEast United FC team. At the same time, we know we are a good team with good players and that we can stand toe-to-toe with the best teams in the competition.”

Among players to watch, Farukh Choudhary of NorthEast United FC has accumulated 17 ISL fantasy points, while Jithin MS, also from NorthEast United, has earned 16 points this season.

The match will be available for streaming live on JioCinema and broadcast on Sports 18 in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam. Additionally, select ISL matches will be aired live across various Sports 18 channels.