Preview: ATK Mohun Bagan look to get back on track against FC Goa

The Gaurs defeated the Mariners in the first half of the season.

The Christmas was not much merry for ATK Mohun Bagan since they lost on the 24th to bottom-placed NorthEast United. Now, the side will face a tough task to overpower FC Goa at the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday. The Gaurs are currently placed sixth on the ISL 2022-23 points table meanwhile the Mariners find themselves on the fourth position with just one point more than their opponents.

On that note, let's take a look at what the encounter has to offer.

The Stakes

ATK Mohun Bagan

The Mariners will look to end their year with a win in front of home fans. Juan Ferrando is currently a not-so-happy manager perhaps, with many of his players not even being able to train. With an acute squad that he has in hand, he will look to fight the way out against his former employers. The last time ATK Mohun Bagan faced FC Goa, they lost by a margin of 3-0. Thus, the Green & Maroon Army will have their focus straight to seal all three points.

FC Goa

The Gaurs will come into this game after a comeback win over Jamshedpur FC last week. Carlos Pena has already defeated the Mariners at home. Now, with a slightly weaker ATK Mohun Bagan side in front of them, his side will aim to thrash them at their den. Three points will be of utmost help to FC Goa, as they will march up the table to secure the third or the fourth spot, in accordance to their goal difference with Kerala Blasters.

Injury & Team News

The list is long for ATK Mohun Bagan, starting from Joni Kauko and Florentin Pogba, who are out for the season. Manvir Singh is yet to recover from his injury. Even players like Ashique Kuruniyan and Hugo Boumous seem unlikely to start against FC Goa. Notably, Boumous wasn't seen training a day prior to the encounter.

FC Goa have fully fit roster to choose from.

Head-to-head

ATK Mohun Bagan and FC Goa have faced each other six times till now in the ISL.

ATK Mohun Bagan - 3

FC Goa - 1

Drawn - 1

Predicted Line-ups

ATK Mohun Bagan (4-2-3-1)

Vishal Kaith (GK), Asish Rai, Pritam Kotal, Brendan Hamill, Subhasish Bose, Carl McHugh, Pronay Halder, Liston Colaco, Kiyan Nassiri, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Dimitri Petratos

FC Goa (4-2-3-1)

Dheeraj Singh (GK), Seriton Fernandes, Anwar Ali, Fares Arnaout, Aiban Dohling, Ayush Chhetri, Edu Bedia, Redeem Tlang, Iker Guarrotxena, Brandon Fernandes, Noah Sadaoui

Player to Watch

Brendan Hamill (ATK Mohun Bagan)

With most of the key players out of the side, the responsibility comes down to the shoulders of centre-back Brendan Hamill. The Aussie has been looking good at the back for Ferrando's side and will play a crucial role against a top-notch FC Goa attacking unit. Undoubtedly, he will be the person ATK Mohun Bagan fans will expect will stop the likes of Noah Sadaoui and Iker Guarrotxena in their tracks.

Noah Sadaoui (FC Goa)

The Moroccan forward has been in fine shape and can be labelled as FC Goa's top player this season. He has already bagged five goals and four assists in eight games. ATK Mohun Bagan defenders need to keep a close eye on him, in order to avoid the danger he imposes.

Did You Know?

• ATK Mohun Bagan head coach Juan Ferrando made a dramatic switch from FC Goa to the Mariners in 2021.
• FC Goa's Noah Sadaoui was approached by the club for the past few seasons before signing for them in 2022.
• Edu Bedia is the longest serving foreigner at FC Goa.
• Carlos Pena, the current head coach of FC Goa, won the first ISL League Winners' Shield as a player in 2019.

Telecast

The match between ATK Mohun Bagan and FC Goa will be played at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. The kick-off time is 7:30 PM IST. The game will be telecasted live on the Star Sports Network. Disney+HotStar and JioTV will also stream the game.