At this stage last season, NorthEast United had slumped to the bottom of the Indian Super League table with two losses from their first two games. The Highlanders went on to lose one more before staging a recovery to come within striking distance of clinching the fourth place and entering the semi-finals.

The side went through a revamp for the 2016 season, much like any other other team in the league. While a handful of players were retained, an entire new bunch was signed, including some of the brightest next-gen Indian talents such as Holicharan Narzary and Salam Ranjan Singh. In the experienced Nelo Vingada, the side landed a coach who can organise a side's midfield and defensive shape without asking his players too deep. United, armed with a pace on their flanks up front and in the middle, can hurt a team on the counter-attack.

Mumbai City FC got off to a winning start, edging past FC Pune City in their tournament opener. Despite having a number of players unavailable against Pune, the side got the job done away from home. There were warning signs aplenty early in the game for Mumbai, but it was Pune's lack of composure in front of the game that saw them maintain a clean sheet.

United's mantra has been for their forwards to pressurise the opposition defenders with high pressure. Anwar Ali and Co. have quite a task on their hands. The encouraging sign for Mumbai is Diego Forlan finding his feet in the second half of the game against Pune, even setting up Matias Defederico's goal with a clever flick.

United have gone with a variant of the 4-4-2 while Mumbai fielded a 4-3-2-1, which is probably what Forlan struggled with early on as the Uruguayan has been anything but a battering ram of a centre forward.

There is every chance that the two teams might cancel each other out, but United have form, rhythm, and history on their side – they have a winning record against Mumbai. However, the home side will be encouraged to know that United have a wretched record on the road, even losing 1-5 to the corresponding fixture last year.

This is the first time that the revamped Andheri Sports Complex will be used as venue in the competition.

Match Facts

Venue: Andheri Sports Complex, Mumbai

Capacity: 20,000

Time: 7 pm IST

Last meeting: NorthEast United 2-0 Mumbai City FC, 20th November 2015, at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Guwahati

Head-to-head: Matches: 4, NorthEast United wins: 2, Mumbai City FC wins: 1, Draws: 1

Key Battles

Diego Forlan vs Didier Zokora:

It remains to be seen whether Ivorian Didier Zokora will be playing in this encounter, but his chances look good after Brazilian Mailson picked up an injury in the previous game. Zokora had a good induction to the league last year, but has seen limited game time in United's first two games. It should be a see-saw battle between the two former internationals, but it is the defender who has the slight edge in this battle, given his no-nonsense style.

Emiliano Alfaro vs Anwar Ali:

Alfaro was seen everywhere in United's forward line during their game against FC Goa. There is an old saying that a striker's confidence stems from his goal-scoring exploits, and the Uruguayan scored two in the previous game. Ali has his task cut out as Alfaro is a busy customer who likes to put his opponents under the cosh by pressing high up the pitch.

Squads

Mumbai City FC

Albino Gomes, Roberto Valpato Netto, Aiborlang Khongjee, Anwar Ali, Gerson Vieira, Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte, Lucian Goian, Walter Ibanez, Ashutosh Mehta, Boithang Haokip, David Lalrinmuana, Jackichand Singh, Krisztian Vadocz, Leo Costa, Pronay Halder, Diego Forlan, Gaston Sangoy, Matias Defederico, Sony Norde.

NorthEast United FC

Subrata Paul, Wellington Gomes,Gustavo Lazzaretti, Mailson Alves, Nirmal Chettri, Reagan Singh, Salam Ranjan Singh, Shouvik Ghosh, Didier Zokora, Fabio Neves, Fanai Lalrempuia, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Katsumi Yusa, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manoel Morais Amorim, Rowlin Borges, Seit Yasen Singh, Wellington Priori, Sasha Aneff, Nicolas Vélez, Sumit Passi.