Hyderabad FC looks to continue unbeaten record against NorthEast United despite struggles

Hyderabad FC looks to continue unbeaten record against NorthEast United despite struggles

Former champion Hyderabad FC will be taking on NorthEast United FC in the backdrop of sacking its head coach Thangboi Singto last week at the Gachibowli Stadium here on Monday.

Interestingly, the Nizams have the longest unbeaten streak against the Highlanders, not tasting defeat in the last nine games.

In head-to-head record in their 10 matches so far, Hyderabad FC has secured six wins, while three matches ended in draws and NEUFC has won once.

Fresh from its back-to-back wins in the last five matches, NEUFC can start as the favourite against a team which strangely is yet to win a home game since February 2023.

NEUFC head coach Juan Pedro Benali will want to pile on further misery with a positive result on the road. Currently, it is positioned eighth in the points table with 15 points from 11 matches while Hyderabad FC is
in the 12th place after garnering seven points with two victories and a draw in 11 encounters.

Benali’s men dropped 12 points from winning positions this season, the most in the league. In contrast, Hyderabad is one of only three sides yet to lose a point from a winning position.

The visitor will have to be cautious of this tendency since it has conceded 18 goals in 11 clashes this season, though Hyderabad FC, too, has to regain its feet in offence – having netted seven times in ISL 2024-25, which is the second-least in the league after Mohammedan SC (5).

For NorthEast, Alaaeddine Ajaraie’s impact has been huge as the forward has been a standout performer, contributing 15 goal involvements, winning eight points for his side, and boasting an xG differential of +4.98.

His clinical finishing (11 goals from an xG of 6.02) makes him a key player for the side’s frontline.

“The players have a positive attitude and mindset”, said the HFC interim head coach Shameel Chembakath. “We have had four training sessions. They have gone well. The players have responded in a good manner and they have a positive attitude and mindset,” he said.

On the other hand, Pedro Benali said they had been preparing for a while. “It’s a very important game for us after two defeats. We should not take it easy as Hyderabad FC is a team that creates a lot of chances and are a very fast side too,” he said.