JAMSHEDPUR, Dec 1:�Jamshedpur FC and NorthEast United FC will be eyeing the top spot when they go head-to-head in what is set to be an exciting Hero Indian Super League clash at the JRD Tata Sports Complex here on Monday.
Jamshedpur are third on the table with 10 points from five matches, while NorthEast sit fourth, a point behind their opponents. A win on Monday will be enough for either team to sit atop the table.
The incentive notwithstanding, both teams have plenty of quality in their ranks to ensure the fans are in for a spectacle.
The home side is unbeaten at home this season, registering two wins and a draw from three matches. Their only defeat came away to ATK, but Antonio Iriondo�s team bounced back in style by defeating FC Goa in Goa and come into this clash high on confidence.
At the other end, NorthEast United are one of two sides yet to be defeated this season. The Highlanders, however, have not won back-to-back matches this season. They have drawn three games and won two. Robert Jarni will be hard-pressed to ensure they start putting a run of victories together.
�Jamshedpur is a team that has a very good balance between defence and attack and for me, they are the best team in India. It is a difficult match for us. We have prepared well for this game and we want to win,� said Jarni.
With two in-form strikers leading the frontlines of both teams, a compelling watch is in the offing. Spanish forward Sergio Castel, who leads the scoring charts with four goals, is Jamshedpur�s ace while NorthEast have Ghanaian Asamoah Gyan (three goals) as their trump card. Both men are in form, having scored in both teams� previous games.
Jamshedpur will look to enjoy most of the ball with technically gifted midfielders like Aitor Monroy and Noe Acosta pulling the strings. But Iriondo has shown that they can play according to situations and alter their tactics, as seen in their win over Goa where they enjoyed less possession than their counterparts.
