It’s now or never for Marco Materazzi and Chennaiyin FC. After a rocky season in which they’ve struggled to replicate 2015’s late-season form, they find themselves staring down the barrel and in desperate need of three points against NorthEast United.

Materazzi couldn’t have put it more clearly himself, “In Kolkata we conceded a late goal, same in Pune where we conceded a late free-kick. We could have sealed the games against Kerala and Mumbai as well [both home games] where we should have scored the second goal but instead conceded in the second half. So yes, I regret that maybe we didn’t play to our potential this year. We didn’t play the way what we thought we could but we are looking for six points, hoping at the same time that other results also go in our favour.”

Chennaiyin will miss the services of Jeje Lalpekhlua, out with an injury and will look to replace him with Daniel Lalhlimpuia in his first start of the season. Davide Succi may also partner the Mizo striker in attack.

The defence has been a problem for Chennaiyin, with both Karanjit Singh and Duwayne Kerr looking poor between the sticks. For now, the Italian is expected to stick with the former and opt for a backline of John Arne Riise, Bernard Mendy, Eli Sabia and Mehrajuddin Wadoo.

Nelo Vingada’s side finally got their fourth win on the last matchday as they overcame Pune City 1-0. NorthEast got their first three wins in the opening four games of the season.

Rowlin Borges’ suspension on account of yellow card accumulation means that Didier Zokora may have to fill the void left by the dynamic Indian youngster. Gustavo Lazaretti will return to the heart of defence to partner Mailson Alves.

Emiliano Alfaro, this season’s top scorer with five is in the middle of a drought and his partner in attack Nico Velez has been inconsistent as well. NorthEast have three games left, but form is not on their side.

Match Facts

Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai

Capacity: 60,000

Time: 7 pm IST

Last meeting: NorthEast United 0 - 1 Chennaiyin FC, October 20th, 2016, at the Sarusajai Stadium, Guwahati

Head-to-head: Matches played: 5. NorthEast wins: 3, Chennaiyin wins: 1, Draws: 1

Key Battles

John Arne Riise vs Halicharan Narzary: Chennaiyin’s marquee player John Arne Riise hasn’t started all his team’s matches, as Bernard Mendy and Eli Sabia have been preferred by the gaffer. Has looked solid when on the pitch.

Narzary, the youngster, impressed a lot of viewers in the early part of the season but couldn’t sustain that form as Vingada has opted to play Seityasen Singh. Has pace and trickery up his sleeve and could use that to good effect against the veteran.

Expected line-ups

Chennaiyin FC: Karanjit Singh; Bernard Mendy, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Jerry Lalrinzuala, John Arne Riise; Hans Mulder, Raphael Augusto, Harmanjot Singh Khabra, Zakeer Mundampara; Davide Succi, Daniel Lalhlimpuia

NorthEast United FC: Subrata Paul; Gustavo Lazzaretti, Mailson Alves, Salam Ranjan Singh, Shouvik Ghosh; Didier Zokora, Holicharan Narzary, Romaric, Seityasen Singh; Emiliano Alfaro, Nico Velez