NorthEast United FC Vs Odisha FC Prediction: Northeast are favourites going into game

NorthEast United FC will host Odisha FC at the India Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati in the Indian Super League for game week 7. Northeast are favourites going into the game. Who will be the winner after 90 minutes?

Highlanders should feel confident with their performance following their emphatic 5-0 win over Jamshedpur FC, wherein they never really stopped attacking. Beating the weakened side was undoubtedly in their favor, but relentless attacking and being on target with the opportunities presented to them is something that deserves pride. Head Coach Juan Pedro Benali should be very proud of them and hope that they could continue like this.

Against the Juggernauts at home, they will continue to play like this, hoping to smother the defense of the opponent. They have found the back of the nets for some time now, and they are the team with the most attacking success in the league. Azraie has scored six of these goals, while Nestor has three. For the home fans, nothing less than an attacking thriller would be satisfactory, with no injury worries, an intact squad for the Highlanders.

While their stats from the attacking side show improvement, the Highlanders seem to be struggling much more on the defensive aspect, as they rank relatively among the lowest in all teams in terms of average tackles and interceptions per match-a potential weakness against attack-orientated teams, given the ability to push ahead and take advantage through set pieces or a fluid flowing attack. Still, supported by the attacking aspect, the Highlanders seem pretty much assured of beating this one as well; supported by the home-based voice cheering them on.

G Singh (GK); B Samte, M Zabaco, A Akhtar, S Singh (Defenders); M Bemmamer, Mayakkannan; Gogoi, N Albiach, Jithin MS (Midfielders); A Ajaraie (Forward)

Forwards on a tightrope ahead of a tricky test, the Juggernauts will miss the banned suspended midfielder Ahmed Jahouh when they travel for what promises to be the test of the season with their arch-rivals in Perth. The Highlanders ended Odisha's win at home to Mumbai City; though they had an agonisingly narrow miss. The defense, particularly has seen some impressive resilience keeping such threats at bay at an away venue. If Mumbai City do find holes there, then Odisha must lose some of Jahouh's control over mid-game distribution.

Coach Sergio Lobera will have to get it just right to face Highlanders' potent attack. The Juggernauts boast the highest average ball possession in the league, 58.3%, but their style of play will be tested by an in-form NorthEast United. Offensively, Roy Krishna and Diego Mauricio have been Odisha's primary threats, both forwards contributing three goals each.

Odisha have been solid on the defensive side with 15.7 clearances per game and a high tackle rate of 16 per game, second in the league. However, the interception count is low, and the Highlanders may target Odisha's inability to cut off opposition plays early, which could make NorthEast United's attack on the counter quite a potent one. The Juggernauts will need to be defensively disciplined and capitalize on their possession-based game to neutralize the threat of NorthEast United.

A Singh (GK); A Ranawade, M Fall, C Delgado, J Lalrinzuala (Defenders); R Kumar, Puitea; R Ali, H Boumous, Isak (Midfielders); R Krishna 

Overall, it should be an entertaining match with a healthy chance of going over, but NorthEast United's attacking firepower and Odisha's defensive struggles make the Highlanders favorites to take all three points. Expect a high scoring game this one.