TV CHANNELS & LIVE STREAM
The Star Sports Network have the exclusive broadcasting rights of the ISL. The games will be telecast with the option of English and/or Hindi commentary over their bouquet of television as well as digital platforms.
Commentary will also be available in vernacular languages across India.
TEAM NEWS
NorthEast United FC
Injured - None Doubtful - None Suspended: None
Key Players - Marcinho, Danilo Lopez
Expected starting XI: TP Rehenesh, Nirmal Chettri, Sambinha, Jose Goncalves, Rowllin Borges, Marcinho, Adilson Goiano,Seminlen Doungel, Danilo, Halicharan Narzary
Bengaluru FC
Injured - Abhra Mondal Doubtful - None Suspended: Gurpreet Singh
Key Players - Sunil Chhetri, Erik Paartalu
GAME PREVIEW
NorthEast United registered their first tally on the scoresheet in their last match against Delhi Dynamos which they won 2-0. They kicked a season off with a drab 0-0 draw against new entrants Jamshedpur FC before going down 0-3 against Chennaiyin FC.
A breath of fresh air was instilled into the Highlanders against Delhi as they blew the opponents away with the help of two of their key players - Danilo Lopes and Marcinho.The team will once again fancy their chances against a strong Bengaluru FC without their star goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh who has to sit out due to a red card suspension he picked up against FC Goa.
Bengaluru FC, on the other hand, started their season with dominant and successive 2-0 and 4-1 home wins against Mumbai City and Delhi Dynamos before FC Goa handed them a reality check in their previous game with a 4-3 defeat. Albert Roca’s side likes to employ a style of play that is pleasing to the eye and will not deter from their usual tactics when they visit NorthEast.
The Blues pulled off a remarkable deal when they signed Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh before the start of the season and were provided with the chance to field him for the ISL games after their initially registered custodian, Lalthuammawia Ralte, picked up an injury before the season opener. The Indian National Team goalkeeper was punished with a ban and a fine for a red card that he picked up in the defeat against FC Goa and will be unavailable for this clash but Ralte has recovered just in time to slot in between the sticks.
Despite the defeat in their last game, Bengaluru FC are expected to be right there at the summit come the end of the season and NorthEast United will have a torrid time keeping the likes of Erik Paartalu, Miku, Sunil Chhetri and Udanta Singh quiet throughout the 90 minutes. But just like Corominas and co. proved, the Highlanders attack will be going into the game with the hope of outscoring their opposition.
