Preview: Hyderabad FC, Odisha FC battle for pole position

Both teams won their previous game by 1-0.

Hyderabad FC and Odisha FC are set to face each other in a mouth watering top of the table clash at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium on Saturday, November 5. In the fourth home game of the season, the Nizams will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run in the start of the season. Odisha FC meanwhile, have lost one game but have been unbeaten in the last two fixtures recording successive wins against Kerala Blasters and Bengaluru FC. 

Lets take a look at the detailed preview down below.

The Stakes

Hyderabad FC

A win for Hyderabad FC would extend their run and ensure they end Game-week 5 on top of the table. The home side would also want to continue their home form where they have won their last two encounters, backed by the support of the home fans. The team would want to score more goals as they have won by only a solitary goal in their previous two outings.

This game will be a stern test for the Nizams as they come against an in-form Odisha team and the defence will have their work cut-out in case they want to keep a fourth consecutive clean sheet.

Odisha FC

The away side come into this game with back-to-back wins and will be looking to continue their run of form, after a disappointing 2021-22 season. Odisha FC have started this season in the right manner and will be looking to keep up the form, if they want to challenge for the playoff spots. 

Their defence kept their first clean sheet of the season in the last game and they will be looking to continue the momentum. Osama Malik and Carlos Delgado have done a great job ever since they have been paired in the centre-back position. A win away would result in the Juggernauts claiming the pole position going into the next game week. 

Team News

Rohit Danu will miss this fixture for Hyderabad FC. Odisha FC meanwhile, have a fully fit squad ahead of the clash.

Head-to-Head

To date, Hyderabad FC and Odisha FC have played each other six times, with Hyderabad edging it out 3-2 in terms of wins. The other fixture saw the teams split points. 

Also Read: ISL is growing every year, notes Odisha FC’s Josep Gombau

Probable Line-ups

Hyderabad FC: Laxmikant Kattimani (GK), Nikhil Poojary, Odei Onaindia, Chinglensana Singh, Akash Mishra, Joao Victor, Hitesh Sharma, Bartholomew Ogbeche, Mohammad Yasir, Halicharan Narzary, Javier Siverio. 

Odisha FC: Amrinder Singh (GK), Shubham Sarangi, Osama Malik, Carlos Delgado, Sahil Panwar, Raynier Fernandes, Saul Crespo, Thoiba Singh, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Nandhakumar Sekar, Diego Mauricio. 

Man to Watch

Bartholomew Ogbeche (Hyderabad FC)

Big Bart has yet again proven to be the go to man in the attack for the Nizams this season. The Nigerian has scored two goals and has an assist to his name in the four games. He also netted a brace against Odisha last season and will once again pose a threat to the Odisha FC defence. 

In the last game, although substituted early, Ogbeche was crucial in the goal and the build-up play, and overall enjoyed a good outing. Notably, he is currently the all-time top-scorer of the ISL with 55 goals under his belt!

Diego Mauricio (Odisha FC)

The Brazilian has had a solid start to the season with two goals from the first four games (just like Bart Ogbeche). Although he has had a quiet outing in the last couple of games, this could be the game we can see the striker back to his scoring form. He will be a pivot in the team's offensive third against Hyderabad. Moreover, Mauricio has the potential to create chances and also convert them. 

Did You Know?

• This will be the second time Odisha will come to Hyderabad and play at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium. The first time these two sides clashed in Hyderabad, Odisha FC won 2-1.
• Both the teams are coming on the back of a 1-0 victory in their previous game. 
• Hyderabad FC are tied with ATK Mohun Bagan in terms of the most goals scored so far in ISL 2022-23 (8). 

Telecast

The match between Hyderabad FC and Odisha FC will take place at the GMC Balayogi Stadium, popularly known as Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad, Telangana, on November 5 (Saturday). The kick-off time is 5:30 pm IST. The game will be telecasted live on the Star Sports Network. Disney+HotStar and JioTV will also stream the match.