NorthEast United FC aim to capitalise upon Hyderabad FC’s late-game susceptibility with their direct attacking approach

Hyderabad FC are hosting NorthEast United FC when the two sides face off in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on December 23, Monday, at the G.M.C Balayogi Athletic Stadium at 7:30 pm IST. Hyderabad FC are unbeaten in their last nine matches against the Highlanders (W6 D3), the longest such streak they hold against any team in the competition.

NorthEast United FC enter this match on the back of two victories and a draw in their last five matches. However, they have also faced two defeats on the bounce and head coach Juan Pedro Benali will want to arrest this run with a positive result on the road. Currently, they are positioned eighth in the points table with 15 points from 11 matches. Hyderabad FC are in the 12th place after garnering seven points with two victories and a draw in 11 encounters. They parted ways with head coach Thangboi Singto and are targeting a better run for the remaining part of the campaign.

NorthEast United FC have dropped 12 points from winning positions this season, the most in the league. In contrast, Hyderabad are one of only three sides yet to lose a point from a winning position. The visitors will have to be cautious of this tendency since they have conceded 18 goals in 11 clashes this season, though Hyderabad FC, too, have to regain their feet in offence – having netted seven times in ISL 2024-25, which is the second-least in the league after Mohammedan SC (5).