NorthEast United FC: NorthEast United FC are set to host Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Friday. The ISL thus returns to the Meghalaya capital after the first-ever league game between the Highlanders and Mumbai City FC earlier this month.
Bengaluru FC have been winless in their last four games on the road, including two defeats on the bounce. However, the Blues have had a promising goal-scoring season, having scored 36 goals, their second-highest in ISL history, with Sunil Chhetri leading the charts, courtesy of his 11 strikes. The Blues will be buoyed by the fact that NorthEast United FC have not won against them in their previous five meetings. The two sides have played three draws in a row and another stalemate would mark the third time the Highlanders do so four straight times against a single opponent in the ISL.
NorthEast United also have their home record to protect, since they last suffered a 0-2 defeat here against Mumbai City FC, and the previous time they faced losses in consecutive matches in their backyard, in a single season, was in February 2023. Further, the Blues have never failed to score on the road against the Highlanders, netting eight times in six matches, and a strike in this encounter will mark their longest such sequence against any opponent.
