ISL 2023-24: FC Goa vs East Bengal: Preview, Predicted lineup, injury news, H2H, telecast details

FC Goa are on a five-game winless run in the ISL.

FC Goa will aim to stay alive in the Indian Super League (ISL) Shield race when they host Kolkata giants East Bengal at the Fatorda Stadium on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. The Gaurs have lost control of the ISL Shield charge and will aim to end their poor run of form with an inspired win over an unpredictable East Bengal side at home.

The Stakes

FC Goa

It now seems a long time ago that FC Goa seemed to be clear-cut favourites to win the ISL Shield when the first leg of the 2023/24 campaign ended. Injuries and a string of bad results have seen them drop all the way to fourth place, but their dream of winning their second ISL Shield is not evaporated yet.

Goa can restart their charge in this race with a big win over East Bengal and get closer to the top-three. Manolo Marquez has to ensure that his side considers this like a final than a normal league match against the eighth-place side in the ISL, whom they can’t afford to underestimate. A draw can be a major blow and further lower the confidence levels inside the camp. Meanwhile, a loss can mark the end of their ISL Shield dreams once and for all.

East Bengal

After having played seven matches in February, an exhausted East Bengal side aim to tap into their second wind against FC Goa. The Red & Gold Brigade have some really tough games ahead, but ones they need to win to keep their own ISL playoffs hope alive.

East Bengal need to take advantage of this shaken FC Goa side and their defensive vulnerabilities by being at their clinical best and defending as if a trophy is at the other end of a win. Carles Cuadrat’s side can secure a major momentum boost with a win over the Gaurs at their own ground, but dropping any more points can leave them far behind their top-six rivals heading into the business end of the competition.

Injury and Team News

FC Goa are still missing their defensive commander Sandesh Jhingan after he picked up an injury at the AFC Asian Cup.

East Bengal could welcome back Saul Crespo to their squad for this game. Ajay Chhetri is suspended.

Head-to-Head

Matches Played – 7

FC Goa wins – 4

East Bengal wins – 1

Draws – 2

Probable Lineups

FC Goa (4-4-2)

Dheeraj Singh (GK), Seriton Fernandes, Nim Dorjee Tamang, Odei Onaindia, Jay Gupta, Rowllin Borges, Borja Herrera, Boris Singh, Mohammad Yasir, Noah Sadaoui, Carlos Martinez

East Bengal (4-2-3-1)

Prabhsukhan Gill (GK), Mohamad Rakip, Aleksandar Pantic, Hijazi Maher, Nishu Kumar, Souvik Chakrabarti, Saul Crespo, Naorem Mahesh Singh, PV Vishnu, Cleiton Silva, Nandhakumar Sekar

Players to Watch

Carlos Martinez (FC Goa)

Carlos Martinez has gone through a bit of a dull goalless spell and hasn’t been able to score in the last four appearances for FC Goa. He is just not being able to convert chances as clinically as he wanted amid the barren spell, but everyone knows how prolific the 37-year-old can be in and around the box.

Martinez needs to rediscover his spark in regards to finishing chances ruthlessly again, and make the East Bengal backline work against the Gaurs. He needs to use his impressive movement and link-up play to help open up opportunities for teammates and get into all those prime goal-scoring areas to end his goal-drought and add more to his five ISL goals so far this season.

Naorem Mahesh Singh (East Bengal)

Naorem Mahesh Singh has, as admitted by Cuadrat himself, lost some of his spark after the start of the second leg of the ISL. However, Mahesh is an extremely gifted winger who has the intelligence and ability to cause harm to any opponent if given too much freedom.

Mahesh will hope to make a strong comeback in terms of getting among goals against this shaky FC Goa backline, trying to make his clever off-the-ball runs to get into empty spaces and being able to threaten the Gaurs’ goal or create chances. Incidentally, Mahesh’s last goal for East Bengal came against FC Goa in October – and he’ll be determined to get back to scoring ways in this upcoming fixture.

Did you know?

• Jay Gupta (1156) has registered more successful touches on the ball than any other Indian player in the ISL 2023-24.
• East Bengal have only won one away game in ISL 2023-24 – against Hyderabad FC.
• FC Goa are currently on a five-game winless run, having last won an ISL game against Hyderabad FC in early February.
• In ISL 2021-22, East Bengal’s solitary win of the campaign came against FC Goa. The match ended 2-1, with Naorem Mahesh Singh netting a brace.

Telecast

The FC Goa vs East Bengal game kicks off at 7:30 PM IST, at the Fatorda Stadium, Goa on March 6, 2024. Live telecast of the fixture will be available on the Sports18 Network (Sports18 1/VH1 Channel). Live streaming of the game will be available on the JioCinema app. Viewers from abroad can use OneFootball to stream the game.

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