New Delhi, 2 January (H.S.): Northeast United FC (Highlanders) will host Mohammedan SC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 match at their home ground Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium on Friday evening.

The Highlanders are fourth in the table with 21 points from six wins, three draws and four losses in 13 matches, while Mohammedan Sporting are at the bottom of the 13-team table with only one win, three draws and six points from nine losses in 13 matches. The Highlanders will go into this match buoyed by a stunning 3-0 win over Mumbai City FC in their previous match, while Mohammedan were suffering five consecutive defeats before playing a draw in the last match.

The Highlanders have scored the most goals so far this season, 29. But Mohammedan Sporting have conceded 16 of their 22 goals after half time.

Alaeddine Azareei has been the key man in the Highlanders' attack, making 87 touches in the opposition box in 13 matches, scoring 14 goals. He has been well supported by Guillermo Fernandez and Nestor Albiach with four goals each.

The Highlanders failed to score in their last home match but are determined to bounce back.

Mohammedan SC have won just one match in 13 matches this season and are on the verge of equalling Hyderabad FC's record (6 points from 14 matches in 2019-20) for the lowest points after 14 matches in ISL history.

Mohammedan have conceded only six goals in the first half of the matches played this season but their defensive frailty was exposed as they conceded 16 goals in the second half.

Highlanders' Spanish head coach Juan Pedro Benali wants his team to perform better in the upcoming matches this year.

He said, The ability to recover from pressure, concentrate and gain experience will be taken with us in 2025 as well. From now on we have to be more calm.

Black Panthers' Russian head coach Andrei Chernyshov recently praised the progress and success of Northeast United.

He said, Northeast United gave some great results last season and now they are in the top four of the table. They won the Durand Cup and they are now one of the best teams in the league, as shown by their 3-0 win against Mumbai City.

Let us tell you that there has been a match between the two teams in the ISL, in which Northeast United FC won 1-0. The Highlanders will take on Mohammedan Sporting to complete the league double for the first time.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar