Atletico hope to end winless jinx in ISL (Preview)

Winless for the last four games, table-toppers Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) would hope to break the jinx as they take on sixth-placed NorthEast United FC (NUFC) in an Indian Super League (ISL) exchange at the Salt Lake Stadium here Tuesday.

The Kolkata franchise has lost one and drawn three of their last four matches as they failed to retain the speed and verve with which they started their campaign and allowed their opponents to come back into the game.

But on the positive side, Atletico can utilise the services of all their important players except Cavin Lobo and maybe Mohammad Rafique. While the former is sidelined with a ligament injury, Rafique has received a showcause for missing his practice session without informing the top management.

Antonio Habas would again fall back on Ethiopian Fikru Teferra to get the side back to winning ways, though the striker has been somewhat lacklustre in recent matches. Though ATK may fancy their chances, Habas and his charges know it would be far from a cakewalk for the hosts.

A concern for ATK could be Spaniard Koke, who has already scored three goals besides one assist in ISL. Englishman James Keene has not fired as much as he was expected but his presence in the box could pose a threat to any defence.

Ricky Herbert, the NUFC head coach, will also surely have a trick or two up his sleeve. He could opt for Durga Boro from the start again alongside Keene.

When the two sides met at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati for the first leg, ATK emerged victorious 2-0 with the talismanic Fikru and Czech Jakub Podany finding the net.

Atletico are on 13 points from eight matches - the same as Chennaiyin FC - but in pole thanks to a better goal difference. FC Pune City are also breathing down the neck of the leaders with a points kitty of 12 from eight outings.

In the intensifying fight for top honours, Atletico would be doing their cause a world of good if they can log full points. But it remains to be seen whether Atletico's star Spaniards Luis Garcia and Jofre Mateu or NUFC's Koke has the last laugh.