Preview: FC Goa aim to end Mumbai City's fine run of form

The biggest win in ISL's history is the Gaurs' 7-0 demolition of the Islanders back in 2015.

Mumbai City will face FC Goa at the Mumbai Football Arena on Thursday for their upcoming encounter of the eighth season of the Indian Super League (ISL 2022-23). The Islanders are coming on the back of a thoroughly convincing 3-1 victory against NorthEast United in Guwahati.

The Gaurs, on the other hand, have undergone a volatile run of form so far and most recently suffered a crushing 2-0 loss against an otherwise out-of-form Bengaluru FC on Saturday. The two teams are undoubtedly on a contrasting run of form at present but they head into this game with a similar objective in their minds.

The Stakes

Mumbai City

Their previous victory against the Highlanders has got everyone talking about the prospect of Mumbai actually finishing the entire season unbeaten this time around. They have looked superior in terms of both talent and performances as compared to most of their opponents this year.

The Islanders are entering perhaps the busiest phase of the season now. This is around the same time of the year that they began slipping down the points table last season and Buckingham will be once bitten but twice shy about not letting a similar pattern unfold this time around.

FC Goa

FC Goa have presented a pretty curious case in their seven games so far. They have played some sublime, free-flowing football when in good touch. The Gaurs have appeared to be both solid in defence and dynamic in attack. However, they have looked absolutely brittle when the momentum has gone against them.

The frontline fails to stitch passes together and the backline shows little resistance in such games. Their previous match against Bengaluru FC was a classic example of the same. Carlos Pena will have to instill a sense of greater consistency and balance in the setup to get more favourable results on a trot. Meanwhile, the fans will be keenly waiting to see which FC Goa side turns up on Thursday against Mumbai.

Team News

Mumbai City's Amey Ranawade has been ruled out of the season. FC Goa however, have a fit roster!

Head-to-Head

Mumbai City and FC Goa have faced each other 20 times in the league before.

Played – 20

Mumbai City – 8

FC Goa – 7

Drawn – 5

Predicted Line-Ups

Mumbai City (4-2-3-1)

Phurba Lachenpa (GK); Rahul Bheke, Rostyn Griffiths, Mehtab Singh, Vignesh Dakshinamurthy; Ahmed Jahouh, Lalengmawia Ralte; Bipin Singh, Greg Stewart, Lallianzuala Chhangte; Jorge Pereyra Diaz.

FC Goa (4-2-3-1)

Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem (GK); Seriton Fernandes, Anwar Ali, Marc Valiente, Aibanbha Dohling; Edu Bedia, Ayush Dev Chhetri; Redeem Tlang, Iker Guarrotxena, Brandon Fernandes; Noah Sadaoui.

Player to Watch

Bipin Singh (Mumbai City)

A lot of Mumbai’s success this year has been down to the incredible goal-scoring form displayed by their wingers. Bipin Singh has already netted four times in eight appearances and even assisted two more.

He has grown on to become a constant threat from the left flank, often getting himself into positions through which he can either have a shot at goal or make a decisive delivery inside the 18-yard box. He will be raring to take on Seriton Fernandes against FC Goa and help Mumbai City assert their dominance in the proceedings from the left side of the pitch.

Brandon Fernandes (FC Goa)

Brandon Fernandes has not contributed regularly to FC Goa’s attacking exploits this year. With merely a goal and an assist each in 534 minutes, Fernandes needs to be doing much more in the final third. Playing on the left or behind the striker, he will be at the centre of the pressure that Mumbai tend to assert.

He will be at the helm of both resisting that creative force and also dictating Goa’s moves near Mumbai’s box. He will have to not only perform at his optimum but also uplift the performances of those around him. The 28-year-old will have to take complete control over the proceedings to ensure that the Gaurs avoid successive league stage defeats.

Did You Know?

• FC Goa have earned two high-scoring victories against Mumbai City (5-0, 7-0) in the previous years.
• Greg Stewart has taken the most number of shots on target (17) in the league this season.
• Mumbai City (3057) and FC Goa (2698) are placed at the first and second spots respectively in terms of most number of successful passes played by a team in the ISL 2022-23.
• Ahmed Jahouh (21) had recorded the most number of successful tackles in ISL 2021-22.

Telecast

The kick-off time for the Mumbai City vs FC Goa game is at 7:30 pm IST on 1st December (Thursday). The match will be played at the Mumbai Football Arena. The game will be telecasted live on the Star Sports Network. Disney+HotStar and JioTV will also stream the match.